In Japan, fashion isn’t just a statement… it’s a lifestyle.
“Fashion Week” is a fashion festival held twice a year in the world’s fashion cities during which the trends for the next season are born from the latest collections that are unveiled at fashion shows and exhibitions.
Out of the world’s fashion weeks, those held in Paris, Milan, London, New York and Tokyo are regarded as having the most potential for disseminating information due to their history and the amount of buzz surrounding them. These five fashion weeks are the most known fashion weeks in the world and have much influence of the fashion world.
The fashion week held in Tokyo is the “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO (MBFWT)”. It is hosted by the Japan Fashion Week Organization (JFW Organization) and held twice a year on March and October.
Japan’s latest creations are showcased to the world from various locations in Tokyo centered at Shibuya Hikarie and Mercedes me.
Here are some of our favorites:
Hidenori Kumakiri
Designer of Beautiful People
Hidenori Kumakiri graduated from the Apparel Technology Department of Bunka Fashion College in 1997. After he worked as a pattern maker at COMME des GARCONS. He designs Men’s & Women’s / Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Hats, Accessories and others.
Yasutaka Funakoshi
Designer of alice auaa
alice auaa designs do not merely categorize duality, such as beauty and ugliness, and light and shadow, through a decadent and surreal filter based on the color black, but rather convey a mode of avant-garde and romanticism based on the endless motif of the time of life in everything (creation from destruction), and the elegance and eroticism that dwells in incommodiousness.
Three alice auaa looks were displayed at the “MoBA 13: Fetishism in Fashion” exhibit in Arnhem, Netherlands. The looks were displayed under the category “ROMANTICISM”, and were a main showpiece of MoBAATJE.
In October, alice auaa elected Uplift Tokyo, LLC as our agent for overseas expansion, and also opened our new website, alice auaa international.
Lady Gaga chose to wear alice auaa at her press conference for the promotion of “ARTPOP” when she went to Japan in December 2013. alice auaa designed and produced the tour pamphlet and several costumes for the concert tour of vocalist Tatsuya Ishii.
Bajowoo
Designer of 99%IS-
99%IS- is a totally new fashion brand, established by Korean designer, Bajowoo.
Call it Elegant and street-style designs based on rock taste, creating a unique and original mode style.
In the first collection, the brand used authentic leather items encrusted with original studs and detail in order to express a new global philosophy and attention. He’s also collaborated with COMME des GARCONS, GEORGE COX, MACKIN TOSH.
Globally famous musicians (Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, LADY GAGA, Miguel, BIGBANG, etc.) have worn 99%IS- designs as stage costumes, as well as private fashion items. Bajowoo was born in 1984 in Seoul, Korea. He enrolled in ESMODE in 2003.
Later, he would establish his first Punk brand in KOREA, as well as produce rock band costumes and artwork. After visiting London, Paris, Tokyo, Bangkok, he experienced various underground punk. This holds the roots of his creations.
Bajowoo moved to Tokyo in 2008 and enrolled in a dressmaker school in 2010. During the Autumn/Winter season in 2012, when he was a sophomore in college, he established the brand 99%IS-. He debuted his runway collection at 2013S Mercedes-Benz-FashionWeekTokyo.
Hiromichi Ochiai
Designer of FACETASM
Born in Tokyo in 1977. Graduated from the Bunka Fashion College in 1999. Worked for eight years at the textiles company “Guildwork”, which mainly deals with domestic modes like COMME des GARCONS, Zucca, and UNDERCOVER, while working as an assistant at NGAP (artists that work on everything from Western clothing to furniture and interior). Launched his own brand “FACETASM” in the spring of 2007.
Jotaro Saito
Jotaro Saito was born in Kyoto. Ever since his debut at the age of 27 as Japan’s youngest kimono designer, he offers a style that shares classic and contemporary sensibilities, in the pursuit of creating Kimono as fashion that compliments contemporary space. Currently, he promotes “a lifestyle of enjoying Japanese taste,” while producing interior and product designs.
Yukiko Hanai
After graduating from Setsu Mode Seminar of Nagasawa Setsu, Hanai established Atelier Hanai in 1964 and opened a boutique “Madam Hanai” in Ginza, Tokyo in 1968. Hanai won FEC Award in 1973 and the Senken Newspaper Buyers Award in 2003. She changed the name of her company to HANAI & Co.Ltd. in 1984 and opened a flag ship shop in Ginza, Tokyo for “YUKIKO HANAI” brands. Hanai thinks her everyday life is all about designing, and released a lot of license products. She designed costumes for ballet performances and movies. Hanai has a great knowledge in Japanese traditional culture. She is a member of “Touseikai”(Classical Japanese dance organization ) as Tohshi Fujima(art name as a master). She also is a directly through student of Mushanokoji-urasenke(tea ceremony). She had served a member of some screening commitiee in Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Kisoe Aoki:Born in Nagano Pref. Graduated Sugino Dressmaker Jogakuin in 1975 and Setsu Mode Seminar of Nagasawa Setsu. Aoki started her carrier at Hanai and Co.Ltd. 1977. experiened brands madame hanai, C-1, Yukiko Hanai New York as charge.
Japanese Culture is fascinating! They have such a rich and honorable history. In Japan, unlike any other Country in the World, the CEO goes down first when the ship (Company) is sinking. They have incredibly noble business practices. Working with the Japanese is an absolute joy! It is not surprising that they greatly excel in everything they do including Fashion! The work ethic of the Japanese is top drawer. They are very honorable and you can know that the materials, craftsmanship and production process itself if of the highest quality! These Japanese Designers are outstanding. Vogue Devil Wears Prada
But there is that disturbing trend amongst their young to show affection by “licking eyeballs” when they get tired of swapping tongues. What’s up with that?
Just make sure that it’s the facts that are correct. Anyways, Japan commits a ton of suicides each year. Among the leaders in the world. This is due to stress and not being able to achieve personal goals. Not to mention most Japanese in major cities live like sardines. Not a good thing to think about. Although, Japan has been making some progress. As a Japanese Woman I can say I’m glade I left japan. I now live in America and I love it here. Happy to be married to a handsome American man. Japan is not a happy country… Read more »
What facts are you talking about? Care to elaborate? Just because you do not like Japan, does not mean we need to write harshly about it. Glad you are happy with your life in America!
I’m Japanese, And yes I don’t like living n Japan anymore. And to answer your question. Japan s like a ant farm!
It is a well-known fact that the Japanese Business Practices are superior! The CEO takes the fall first in order to save the employees of the Corporation. Name another Country where that takes place! You can’t because there aren’t any!! The USA is the opposite. The CEO sends the employees of the Company to sink while he abandons ship with a cash load of loot and highly valued company stock. They sell the stock before it goes down while instructing the employees to hang on to it!! Nice. That is why people are staying out of the corrupt stock market… Read more »
Sorry to hear that. Welcome to Hollyyyywood! What’s your dream baby?? I understand your frustrations but given the amount of People living in such a small area, it is remarkably sanitary and very orderly and civilized! Go and say hello to the folks in Bombay for me will you?? Now that is crowded! Japan is heaven for claustrophobia compared with New Delhi or Bombay! 🙂
They’re Coming To America – Neil Diamond
Yes, We Japanese people live a clean life for sure. Among the cleanest in the world. A few European countries as well have a very clean way of living. To Me It Depends On The Persons daily habits. Although, Japan is not a happy place to live. Suicides are a every day thing in japan. Teenagers are at tops in the world in this category . Japan is working on solving these issues with counseling. America is the best place to live if you ask me. I never have seen so many big homes in my life. I went from… Read more »
I think Japanese fashion is still being under estimated. This article amongst other, proves that Japanese designers are some of the top of the world. Fashion Week has finally given them the attention they deserve.
Regards and greets from neighbouring Korea,
Kangdae Seo
Go Japan, your fashion is the best IMHO!
The Japanese excel at everything! My mother lived in Tokyo for over 6 months when she was with American Airlines. My parents love the Japanese Culture and collected Japanese Art. Next month I am interviewing a man named John Seever who actually learned the Japanese Art of Basket Making and Stencils from his best friend, a Japanese neighbor. His friend left him the stencils upon his death and John donated the Japanese Stencils to the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. I most admire Japanese Business principles and the mission of the CEO in Japan. I also loved… Read more »
I agree. When the first manufacturing robots came to North America, they were Japanese origin. The commissioning team that accompanied the robots slept on the factory floor next to the equipment to ensure they operated correctly. These workers knew their country’s reputation was at stake.
Japan Wears Prada! Japanese Culture is fascinating! They have such a rich and honorable history. In Japan, unlike any other Country in the World, the CEO goes down first when the ship (Company) is sinking. They have incredibly noble business practices. Working with the Japanese is an absolute joy! It is not surprising that they greatly excel in everything they do including Fashion!
The work ethic of the Japanese is top drawer. They are very honorable and you can know that the materials, craftsmanship and production process itself if of the highest quality! These Japanese Designers are outstanding.
Vogue
The Japanese wear Prada! Japanese Culture is fascinating! They have such a rich and honorable history. In Japan, unlike any other Country in the World, the CEO goes down first when the ship (Company) is sinking. They have incredibly noble business practices. Working with the Japanese is an absolute joy! It is not surprising that they greatly excel in everything they do including Fashion!
The work ethic of the Japanese is top drawer. They are very honorable and you can know that the materials, craftsmanship and production process itself if of the highest quality! These Japanese Designers are outstanding.
Vogue
Japan Wears Prada! Japanese Culture is fascinating! They have such a rich and honorable history. In Japan, unlike any other Country in the World, the CEO goes down first when the ship (Company) is sinking. They have incredibly noble business practices. Working with the Japanese is an absolute joy! It is not surprising that they greatly excel in everything they do including Fashion!
The work ethic of the Japanese is top drawer. They are very honorable and you can know that the materials, craftsmanship and production process itself if of the highest quality! These Japanese Designers are outstanding.
The Devil Wears Prada
Japan Wears Prada! Japanese Culture is fascinating! They have such a rich and honorable history. In Japan, unlike any other Country in the World, the CEO goes down first when the ship (Company) is sinking. They have incredibly noble business practices. Working with the Japanese is an absolute joy! It is not surprising that they greatly excel in everything they do including Fashion! The work ethic of the Japanese is top drawer. They are very honorable and you can know that the materials, craftsmanship and production process itself if of the highest quality! These Japanese Designers are outstanding. My dad… Read more »
Not true! As a Japanese woman our fashions have changed over the years. It’s all about looking more like western countries and wanting to be something different. Japan has changed so much in the past decade that I left my home land. The Japanese are always getting surgeries to look more western as well These days. Every day the younger generation is moving west to find happiness and hope to get a better life. Don’t move to Japan unless you want to be unhappy and in constant pressure to make it in life. America is so much more brilliant for… Read more »
My first Fiance lived in Japan for a year while working as a Banker with First Boston. He loved it and I visited him over there 4 times. I am sorry for your unhappy experience. The truth of the matter is that each person has a different story to tell. I am friends with Japanese Women who love living in Japan. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Who says you can’t go home??
I agree totaly! Japan is not the same as it was years ago. Not a happy country to live in or visit. Trust me as a doctor that has traveled to japan to stay away. I have done many eyeball surgeries to open the eyes. Just about the whole younger generation has has this procedure done. Sincerely, Douglas Analmemore
The Japanese wear Prada! Japanese Culture is fascinating! They have such a rich and honorable history. In Japan, unlike any other Country in the World, the CEO goes down first when the ship (Company) is sinking. They have incredibly noble business practices. Working with the Japanese is an absolute joy! It is not surprising that they greatly excel in everything they do including Fashion!
The work ethic of the Japanese is top drawer. They are very honorable and you can know that the materials, craftsmanship and production process itself if of the highest quality! These Japanese Designers are outstanding.
Vogue