When I think about Japanese Fashion, the words unique, avant-garde and delicate beauty come to mind along with images of the work of genius Japanese fashion icons such as Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo, Yohji Yamamoto and my personal favourite – who also happens to be Kawakubo’s protégé – Junya Watanabe.
I am a huge fan of Japanese fashion, if you are too, head off to the Barbican in London where the renowned Japanese fashion historian Akiko Fukai, Director of the Kyoto Costume Institute has curated a fantastic exhibition called: ‘Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion.’
The exhibition not only features the work of the above mentioned Japanese fashion masters but it also includes the new generation of Japanese fashion talent, people like Jun Takahashi, Tao Kurihara, Fumito Ganryu, Matohu, Akira Naka, Mina Perhonen and Mintdesigns. This is the first exhibition in Europe to comprehensively showcase avant-garde Japanese fashion, from the early 1980s to the present. A must see for any lover of Japanese style and even for fashion designers themselves regardless of their style.
Personally, I love that unique sensibility that Japanese design seems to have, and its sense of delicate beauty, no matter how avant-garde.
Japanese fashion is definitely in the fashion map this season, have you noticed the kimono trend? Well, the western version of it, a lovely mix of Vintage + Japanese?
British Designer Nicola Woods creatively combines her passion for vintage clothing with her passion for Japanese style and gives new life to vintage Japanese kimonos transforming them into expertly tailored garments which include a fantastic range of menswear too. The bespoke nature of her label Beautiful Soul has the seal of approval from London’s best fashion museum, the V&A, and creative personalities such as Laura Bailey, Lily Cole and Gabby Young are also fans of the brand. Check out the video of the latest collection here.
And over in the USA American stylist and designer Suzanne Ford Carafano, the designer behind American Gold – a fantastic new vintage inspired line – has designed the loveliest vintage inspired kimonos. Her line which is almost sold out completely in its second season has a huge following thanks to being popular with the coolest models, It girls and celebs, think: Erin Wasson, Daisy Lowe, Peaches Geldof, Sky Ferreira, Ruby Stewart, Scout Willis, Krystal Simpson, Rumi Neely, Shae Acopian, Olivia Lo and many more are huge fans of the brand. Take a look at the video of the latest collection here.
She also sources the coolest kimono vintage pieces, you can get the below and more here.
So whether you are looking for some oriental fashion inspiration or you are after a cool Japanese inspired piece with a vintage touch you know where to head to.
www.theamericangold.com
www.shopspanishmoss.com
www.beautiful-soul.co.uk
www.vam.ac.uk
www.barbican.org.uk
xoxo
Nonita
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