But in fact, when the photograph, captured by Peter Brew-Bevan back in 1999, was taken, Isogawa was beside himself with nerves and practically bouncing off the walls with excitement.

It was around the time that he had just shown his first international clients – Browns of London – his collection in his Surrey Hills studio and didn't yet know that this would be the first of many such encounters.

More than 15 years later and Japan-born Isogawa – he migrated here in 1986- is one of Australia's most successful and prominent fashion designers, who regularly shows and sells his work in Paris.

He'll be speaking about his portrait and his career as part of the Flights of Fashion speaking series at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday.

"I think the most important thing is to be really in touch with our desire as a designer and to make sure that whatever we design and produce is something that we love, otherwise I imagine that one can get burnt out quite quickly," he told Fairfax Media this week.

"We need to actually satisfy our needs and I've definitely found that my creativity is need and it really serves my purpose when I work. I get a lot of energy out of it, and this opportunity, for example, of going to Canberra, I think I'll get a lot of energy out of it, I can stay in touch with people who appreciate my work."

He said although his clothes appealed to the type of woman who was confident enough to wear something unusual and quirky, he had been able to weather a difficult economic climate for fashion by staying practical.

"I'm not only a designer, I'm a sole director, I don't have a partner in business, so I have to be also realistic and cautious about what we can produce," he said.

"There's no point, I feel, challenging oneself to the point of making something if you can't achieve it, to the point where you can't fulfil your hope. Anyone can draw a plan, but I'm actually quite conservative. I think that's what has made me survive for a number of years."

He said that while he felt most at home in Australia, having lived in Sydney for the past 28 years, his work still had a very strong Japanese aesthetic.

"I was born there and raised there and, until I left Japan, I really didn't realise how unique the culture is, because I was in it, so it was impossible to see objectively," he said.

"I realised, actually, what it took for me to appreciate the traditional Japanese history, and all sorts of artisans that exist still. The culture is very strong because it's such an old country."

Akira Isogawa will be speaking at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday, November 2 at 2pm. Entry free but bookings advisable. Visit portrait.gov.au for more information.