#1269 A few words with Lubo Lakic

Continuing my series of discussions with people whose lives are covetable, meet Lubo Lakic. Lubo is an ex-pat Australian sales and PR agent living in Tokyo. His company, Lakic Showroom, is integral to the success of several New Zealand (and international) designers in Japan. No doubt without him, they'd be lost in translation (I slay me).

Q&A below.

What do you do?
I run a multi-brand showroom that includes sales, press, distribution, international communication and brand/project management.

Where are you based?
Tokyo JAPAN.

Which NZ/international labels do you represent?
From NZ I represent Zambesi, Stolen Girlfriends Club and Deborah Sweeney. I also represent Tim Van Steenbergen (Belgium), Peachoo+Krejberg (Paris), REEM (London) and BOWIE (Australia).

What has the Japanese response been to the Kiwi labels you represent?
We have had a great reaction. Some of the Japanese buyers were not that familiar with NZ brands, so it was enjoyable to enlighten them to the great talent from NZ.

Which of the New Zealand labels work best in Japan?
They all work well in different ways. I carry NZ brands that are different from each other with their own unique and distinctive style. Therefore I take a different approach in entering the Japanese market for each brand.

What's it like living in Tokyo - is Lost in Translation accurate?
It is great! It really depends on the person - for me i love the people-thronged streets of Tokyo - it is like a festival everyday, always something going on - definitely a city that you would not easily get bored in... I enjoy having an option of a quiet one at home or stepping out the door and knowing that there is an event/party just 5 or 10 minutes away, weekdays and weekends. A person's Tokyo experience is what they make of it and how they approach everyday life.

I would say that Lost in Translation was accurate to some degree, however, some parts definitely intensified a little... But overall the movie showed a lot of the main and relevant issues faced when in the Japanese society.

Favourite part of your job?
Meeting great designers and having the chance to work with them. Traveling and being invited to amazing cities around the world and being my own boss!

I LIKE YOU!