As per usual, this is coming in a little later than anticipated. But sometimes just when you think you have a bit of time...BAM. Someone requires about 2 weeks worth of solid design work from you. No biggie. I've been meaning to get stuck into Japan Fashion Week since I checked it out a whole two weeks ago.
The five day stretch of runway shows, exhibitions and installations was frenetic, with most days following a pattern something like this: Roppongi - Ebisu - Yoyogi - Ebisu - Roppongi - Harajuku - Roppongi. The shows were strewn around Tokyo's uptown district, in some wonderful (and some awful) venues, and the times and locations certainly kept us on our toes (with lots of running in heels. Yowch). My runway reports have been up at
Japanese Streets since the end of JFW, but I'm yet to do a slightly more personalised summary. Hence!
Araisara
Ok so the first look of the Araisara range appears to be a giant opal. And yes, I know this because I come from the land of duty-free opal products. However, the collection as a whole was backed up with effortless feminine shapes, a soft watercolour colour palette and delicate textures. The looks achieved were dreamy and celestial, but still strong. Full report
here.
Hiroko Koshino
Hiroko Koshino's S/S collection didn't grab me quite as much as her opulent A/W range did, but there were still some key pieces that I really loved, namely those with more colour blocking and geometric/graphic prints. And she does tights very, very well. Full report
here.
Matohu
A few more images for Matohu, since it was probably my favourite collection of JFW. They can do no wrong by me with their sublime colour palette (honestly, is it not the loveliest thing you've seen?), relaxed layered styles, soft shirting and those beautiful long bed jackets. Want. Extended report is
here.
Discovered
A tight little collection which seemingly spanned the entire history of English subcultures. Skinhead, mod, punk, fallen Catholic school boy...no stone was left unturned when attaching influences to this range. I really like the fact that Discovered tend to do something completely different every season, and their S/S didn't fail to deliver in that respect. Full report
here.
Junya Tashiro
Junya Tashiro's collection was borderline 'too girly' for me, but I was sold with those beautiful yellows and lustrous satins & charmeuses.
ato
Ato was a standout collection for me. The sophisticated, restrained, varsity-meets-classic-suiting looks were a cut above many of the other menswear ranges shown for S/S 11. The well executed tailoring, considered details and perfect fits were key to the success of this collection.
Hisui
HISUI A/W 11
- Watch more
Videos at Vodpod.
Who are those little grey guys anyway...? This video is exactly what we experienced at the Hisui exhibition. Not only was a vast amount of work put into the collection from Comme des Garcons protege Ito Hiroko, but this "interactive installation" was designed to highlight all the amazing transformable qualities of each piece. I would love more designers to get creative in this way.
Whew! Done. Now back to regular Tokyo life...if such a thing exists.
All images are via the
Japan Fashion Week website.
E.
