Social Issues Sep 19, 2013

French say 'non' to kid pageants

Child beauty pageants may soon be banned in France after a surprise vote in the Senate rattled the pageant industry and raised questions about how the French relate to girls’ sexuality. Such contests, and the dolled-up beauty queens they produce, have the power to ...

Tech Jun 29, 2013

Wearable computer devices, the latest smart fashion trend

The notion of being fashionably smart is getting a makeover as Internet-linked computers get woven into formerly brainless attire such as glasses, bracelets and shoes. A wearable computing trend is at the heart of the “quantified self” movement, in which people track anything from ...

National Jun 2, 2013

'Ethical fashion' concept employed to empower Africa's female artisans

by Ayako Mie

Fashion can help empower women in Africa and lift them out of poverty, says the chief technical adviser of the International Trade Center, which promotes "ethical fashion."

National May 31, 2013

Association formed to pitch 'Lolita fashion' to the world

Aiming to spread Japan’s “Lolita fashion” to the world, the Omula Fashion Design College in the city of Fukuoka has established the Japan Lolita Association. The aim is to stimulate interest in the famous fashion subculture through various events, including tea parties. About 30 ...

Art May 23, 2013

Finding an artistic home for fashion

by Erik Luebs

Almost everything in the room is transparent. From the ceiling dangle two clear plastic jackets. Against the glass walls are empty glass display cases. Past the jackets on the opposite side of the room are four flat-screen TVs set to static. The room is ...

Asia Pacific May 16, 2013

Global brands commit to Bangladesh safety pact

Global fashion brands such as Benetton, Carrefour and Marks & Spencer on Tuesday committed to abide by an agreement to improve working conditions in Bangladeshi factories after a plant in Savar collapsed killing more than 1,100 people. The announcements came after clothing giants Inditex ...

Style & Design Mar 31, 2013

Fashion Week Tokyo: Crazy good times make the womenswear cut

by Misha Janette

If there is one brand that the world needs to stop, drop and roll its collective mouse over online to check out every season, it's Anrealage.

Style & Design Mar 26, 2013

Fashion that makes art more accessible

by Danielle Demetriou

It is a sartorial surprise of the most poetic variety. Robert Montgomery — artist, writer, fashion collaborator — turns around, slips off his coat and flips up the collar of his crisp white shirt.

Events Outside Tokyo Mar 22, 2013

Music and models come together to show off Fukuoka's fashion

by Delilah Romasanta

What do you get when you mix musicians, models and five dancing kids? It’s quite an impressive collection — in fact it’s the Fukuoka Asia Collection (FACo). On March 24 FACo will return to the Fukuoka Kokusai Center for the fifth time. The event, ...

World Mar 18, 2013

Hairstylist revives coiffs of antiquity

By day, Janet Stephens cuts and colors at a hair salon. By night, she is an amateur archaeologist, meticulously re-creating hairstyles dating back to the times of Roman antiquity. Stephens, 54, who has worked as a hairdresser for more than two decades, re-creates dos ...

Style & Design | ON: FASHION Mar 12, 2013

Plenty to enjoy as fashion week approaches

by Misha Janette and Samuel Thomas

The Italian denim magnate Diesel and EDUN, the niche eco-friendly brand developed by musician Bono and his wife, have something in common — a love of Africa and its artistic scene. It makes sense then that last year they announced DIESEL+EDUN, a denim collection, ...