| Apr 12, 2009

Tokyo hots up for autumn / winter ’09

The length of a fashion show averages about 10 minutes, a short span during which design prodigies can be born while others fail, dragging small fortunes into fashion oblivion with them. In Tokyo, it is a fine line between fashion as art and fashion ...

| Apr 12, 2009

Shows of intrigue

It was bright vs. dark at this season’s 2009/10 Japan Fashion Week and Tokyo Collections, with dizzying color and details contrasting with a plethora of shows that chose to go simple and monochromatic. Matohu, one of the most-watched brands of JFW, presented a show ...

| Jan 15, 2009

Goocy and Gozi but no more Green

Genki at Goocy Goocy (pronounced “goosey”) is the local answer to the Western “fast-fashion” invasion that has recently swept Japan. It’s a pet project by brand director Harumi Fukuda and designer Mary Fukumoto of high-end label Triptych. Along with quirky and fun clothing, Goocy ...

Fashion for the masses

| Nov 11, 2008

Fashion for the masses

Swedish “fast-fashion” chain H & M made a big splash when it opened in Ginza in September and the line just to get into the store continues to be 30-minutes long. The company has added to its brood with a new youth-oriented store in ...

Barrett, Simons and Clemens in Tokyo

Oct 21, 2008

Barrett, Simons and Clemens in Tokyo

Fast flagships On Sept. 17, the new flagship store for designer Neil Barrett opened in Tokyo with the assistance of a heavyweight collaborator — none other than hot U.K. architect Zaha Hadid came on board for her first retail-venue project. Barrett, a 20-year design ...

Tokyo’s catwalks at last purr with pizazz

Sep 14, 2008

Tokyo’s catwalks at last purr with pizazz

“Is Tokyo really the world’s fifth fashion capital after Paris, New York, Milan and London?” That was the question asked by Li Dong, director of fashion for China TV, which was insinuating the waning sartorial significance of the Rising Sun during last season’s Japan ...

Tokyo’s fashion menu gets more appetizing

Sep 14, 2008

Tokyo’s fashion menu gets more appetizing

The Michelin Guide top-starred Tokyo as the world’s gastronomic capital this year, but the city’s sartorial scene may now be just as appetizing as it gradually garners more and more global attention with its fashion menu extending from streetwear avant-garde to “quirky-cute” confections and ...