With an improved turnout and more labels on the runways, last week's Japan Fashion Week '08-'09 Autumn / Winter Collection was, on paper, a near- soaraway success.
As well, the event's official inclusion in the government's budget for fiscal 2008, finalized at the end of last month, is also another positive development.
But still, these gains are somewhat overshadowed by the ever-growing juggernaut that is Tokyo Girls Collection, the hip consumer-oriented fashion show that hit Tokyo during the same week, and which in the long run may prove to be even more influential in the machinations currently in play that will determine JFW's ultimate fate.