Classic Driver: From Tokyo to Battersea with Creative Mastermind Mai Ikuzawa
A square peg in the round hole that is the automotive industry, Mai Ikuzawa has forged a reputation as a creative mastermind, a canvasser for women’s equality, and, perhaps above all, a died-in-the-wool car lover. Classic Driver paid her a visit…
The daughter of Japanese cult motorsport hero Tetsu Ikuzawa, Mai Ikuzawa grew up, quite literally, at the racetracks of Japan and Europe, and while she was resistant to the automotive ‘bug’ at first, a deep appreciation and passion for car culture soon became engrained in her. It’s this, coupled with her creative flair and relentless desire to fight stereotypes and simply have fun, for which Ikuzawa has become so well known in this sphere.
Along with managing her flourishing international creative agency, Bow Wow International (where stunt driving is actually offered as a service), Ikuzawa is a keen skier and balances her time between London and Chamonix. We caught up with Mai during some rare downtime in her neighbourhood of Battersea, accompanied by a rather fabulous Lancia Aurelia B20 GT that’s set to become a star itself at Art Basel this week.
For the full-interview, please visit Classic Driver.
Photos: Tom Shaxson for Classic Driver © Period imagery courtesy of Mai Ikuzawa
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