His first collection show in 1996 sparked interest in Akira as an emerging Australian designer.

In 1997 Akira's Spring/Summer 1997/1998 collection Satori, draw favourable reviews from leading media outlets, including The New York Times. The collection was purchased by the prestigious fashion boutique Browns. The Powerhouse Museum selected Akira to feature in its Fashion of the Year Retrospective.

In 1998, the Spring/Summer 1998/1999 collection Botanica was presented and purchased by Barney's New York, cementing Akira's presence internationally. This led to his first private showing in Paris at Royal Saint Honore.

Akira also undertook new projects with the Australian arts sector during 1998, exhibiting in the Museum of Contemporary Art's inaugural Seppelt Contemporary Art Award and collaborating with the Sydney Dance Company to design the costumes for Salome. Akira has since designed costumes for the Sydney Dance Company's Air and Other Invisible Forces and Ellipse.

In 1999, Akira took two collections to Paris: Spring/Summer High Spirit at Rue Danielle Casanova, which was his first runway presentation and Autumn/Winter's Etheric Zest at Tranoi. Both collections were warmly received and attracted new buyers globally.

Locally, the High Spirit collection was shown at the 1999 Australian Fashion Week and Akira was named Australian Designer of the Year and Womenswear Designer of the Year at the Australian Fashion Industry Awards. The Powerhouse Museum again exhibited Akira's designs in its Fashion of the Year retrospective.

In 2000, Akira again presented two collections in Paris: Autumn/Winter 2000 collection at Espace Commines and Spring/Summer 2001 collection in a disused warehouse on Rue Rambuteau. In Sydney he showed again at Australian Fashion Week with inspiration by print designer Florence Broadhurst's wallpaper library.

For the year 2001 Akira showed his most couture collection Chic Skin at a small salon presentation located at 23 rue Danielle Casanova Paris. Also in March US Vogue Akira was titled as the Jack of Hearts and in US Surface magazine his pieces featured in Avant Garden. In May he presented Light and Night at Australian Fashion Week, and in October he showed Water Star in Paris. Akira also designed outfits for the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

In January 2002 the Object Gallery, Customs House, Sydney opened the Akira Isogawa Exhibition in conjunction with The Sydney Festival which then travelled to The Royal Institute of Technology in Melbourne.

In March Akira presented Autumn Winter 2002/2003 collection in Paris. In May he participated in two separate exhibitions - Sourcing The Muse at the Powerhouse Museum and Dressing & Dreaming at Sherman Gallery, both in Sydney. Also in May at Australian Fashion Week Akira presented Photo Session at Sydney Dance Company's rehearsal studio. In October 2002 Akira showed European Spring Summer 2003 and in March 2003 his latest European Collection was revealed at an intimate presentation in Paris.

May 2003 Akira showed his Australian Spring Summer 2004 collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Media praised the range as one of the most wearable in recent seasons.