Style & Design Sep 23, 2018
The steady pace of mainstream fashion
The cliche, albeit an increasingly true one, that style trends are here today and gone tomorrow continues to define the extremes of the Tokyo fashion scene.
Samuel Thomas
Samuel Thomas is a fashion writer and lecturer at Bunka Gakuen University. He regularly contributes to The Japan Times, among other publications, and has his own site TokyoTelephone.com. He is currently pursuing his research in fashion at the University of Tokyo.
For Samuel Thomas's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Style & Design Jul 22, 2018
Now that's ironic: Untrendy fashion trends
Japanese street style can't help looking back to all those things you thought would never come into fashion.
Style & Design May 27, 2018
On the changing face of Japanese styling
Lifestyles and desires change and fashion has always adapted with the times, but with easier access to global influences, it has become more eclectic than ever. From casual looks to match a lifestyle, to fanciful art collaborations — Japan aims to please all.
Style & Design Mar 19, 2018
DressedUndressed: Beyond genderless fashion
DressedUndressed from designers Takeshi Kitazawa and Emiko Sato has been an unassuming yet confident presence at Tokyo fashion week since 2012, when its initial collections courted tailoring connoisseurs with precise unisex attire that scaled in size but otherwise had no gendered distinction. A partnership ...
Style & Design Jan 21, 2018
The 2018 fashion cycle is just beginning
The "new year, new you" cliche that tempts consumers to spend more on style at this time of the year often has even the most cynical admitting that an excuse to indulge feels good. But when it comes to genuinely new fashion, it's actually ...
People | 20 QUESTIONS Dec 31, 2017
20 Questions: The best answers of 2017
What brought you to Japan? I came here for the magic. Osaka is home to some of the best close-up magicians in the world. — Ben Daggers, magician Richard Brezina | COURTESY OF RICHARD BREZINA What's your favorite Japanese word or phrase? I like Japanese tongue-twisters; my ...
Style & Design Nov 26, 2017
Throwback time for fashion leads to innovation
As regular followers of Japanese fashion can attest, the industry can be seen as somewhat flirtatious, dallying with new debutantes, another sister brand, another collaboration, another short-term "limited shop" or another retail concept that makes the news but doesn't really change the game. It is ...
Style & Design Oct 28, 2017
Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo: Menswear designers take it back to the streets
The menswear collections on display at Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo in mid-October appear to be pushing irony-drenched streetwear.
People | 20 QUESTIONS Oct 28, 2017
Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo: A war zone for photographer Cynthia Anderson
"For photographers fashion week means mock military manoeuvres with us lugging our heavy gear around."
Style & Design Sep 24, 2017
Japanese fashion goes pop
Cast your mind back to the giddy days of 2010, when the group of subcultural artists Chaos Lounge issued its first proclamation. While its stated goal was earnest and postmodern, the output was seen as a shock to the art world as it brought ...