While trivial matters such as global warming get blamed for weather going awry, Japan Fashion Week being moved forward this season by more than a month has caused more angst than a whole panorama of melting ice caps.
Luckily, though, all was cool, as this season's week showcasing 38 brands came and went without a hitch — even though designers had had far less time than usual to come up with the goods.
The first day of scheduled shows found JFW veteran mercibeaucoup ready to rev things up. Designer Eri Utsugi, applied her signature finger-paint approach to fashion to the theme of "stars." Models skipped down the catwalk in loose, colorful blouses and wide overalls smattered with various star patterns. The label's display of kitsch pop style ended with a cute rendition of a Japanese dance by the models and the gleaming designer herself.