Ever since Reiji Kawakubo's Comme des Garçons collection was dubbed "Hiroshima chic" when it debuted on a Paris runway in 1982, Japanese avant-garde fashion has been recognized for its international influence.

"Future Beauty," which was first shown in London in 2010, covers decades of Japanese design from the experimental works of Issey Miyake and Kawakubo to today's new and up-and-coming designers.

Divided into four sections — shadow, surface, tradition and story — the exhibition explores interpretations of and inspirations behind past fashion, while alluding to what the future may hold; March 21-May 11.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. Higashiyama Stn. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fri. till 8 p.m.). ¥1,200. Closed Mon. 075-761-4111; www.momak.go.jp/English