MARCH 23, 2009 - Volume 3

JAPAN FASHION PRODUCT NEWS

 JAPAN-FPO
 

JAPAN FASHION PRODUCT NEWS
Volume 3 - Index

TOKYO COLLECTION WEEK AND JFW
(JAPAN FASHION WEEK in TOKYO)

JAPAN-FPO chairman : Shigeki Okada

TOKYO COLLECTION WEEK will be held from March 23, 2009 to March 29, 2009. I must say I have a strong feeling toward this event as one of the sponsors, who established JFW project.

In beginning of 2000, there are several projects had been established; however, support for "Activities of Fashion Creators" had been postponed.

We could not see any energetic power in Tokyo as a place of fashion dispatch. It was crisis that the phrase of "Tokyo is one lap behind from Paris, Milan, London, and New York. Shanghai is drawing near" was suitable to the situation.

Creators gathered at CFD (COUNCIL OF FASHION DESIGHNERS), and they had been making frantic efforts to operate "Tokyo Collection Week". I had been always hoping that people should more focus on designers' creation activities.

At that time, I just retired from JUNKO SHIMADA. Chairman of CFD, Mr. Hisada requested me to re-build Tokyo Collection by taking the post of CFD counselor.

Because I knew complaint from buyers and media about exhibition places or length of exhibition terms, I thought of having one main place in center of Tokyo to hold exhibitions for a week.

I appealed to the industries and government that growth of textiles and fashion industries was needed of balanced strategies of skills, creations and business.

Ms. Naoko Munakata, who is a chief of textile section of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, agreed on my thought. With support from her and leading figures from textile industries, 1st JAPAN FASHION WEEK was held in Oct. 31st, 2005 which had main program of Tokyo Collection Week.

I can not forget about wonderful 3 ladies about establishing this project.
Ms. Naoko Munakata - design creation based on "skills, creations, and business" is a necessary key to survive future textile industries. She wants to support younger creators.

Ms. Hiroko Koshino - She passionately talked at a conference that it is time to make efforts about creation.
Ms. Izumi Miyachi - a writer of Yomiuri news paper who wrote article on economic page.

Based on these efforts, JFW started and have been operating with support of opinion leaders, passionate staff and government.

Once said that Japanese creation who lead ISSEY MIYAKE, COMME des GARCONS, and YOHJI YAMAMOTO didn't have leading power any more.
However, younger designers are actively joining to the collections and they are attracting world buyers and press relation people again.

The strong points of Tokyo Collection :
1.having high technique level of dying and sewing skills and high quality textiles
2.attracting developing nations which accept new fashion
3.new generation designers who were educated in world fashion standard are participating

In this economic crisis, we, Japanese, have been focusing on value of a product, which attracting world viewers. Please take a look at Tokyo Collection where you can find "something new" in this economic crisis we are facing.

COLLECTION SCHEDULE

»COLLECTION SCHEDULE 2009 A/W

Up-and-coming designers





Brand name :
matohu
Designer :
Hiroyuki Horihata / Makiko Sekiguchi

After graduating from the same school in 1998, Hiroyuki Horihata and Makiko Sekiguchi entered different apparel companies and each worked as a clothing pattern maker for 5 years. In 2003, both went to England to work at the atelier of Bora Aksu in London. After coming back, they launched LEWS TEN Co., Ltd. On March 2005, and started their brand "matohu". This brand has participated in JFW since March 2006.
The brand name "matohu" has two meanings in Japanese; the first meaning is to wear clothes in such a way that it creates an atmosphere of beauty, like the motion of wrapping your body softly, and leaving a gentle afterglow, the second gives the sense of restraint, allowing oneself to mature, like a fruit, slowly, and not to consume something hastily and throw it away.
"matohu" always uses the motif of "Keicho era" (1596 to 1615) to its collection in every presentation. The traditional patterns and designs of this era are often seen in this brand's design. In last year's JFW (09 S/S), "matohu" introduced "Tsuji ga hana", recently revived tie-dyeing which is famous in kimono field, in collaboration with the atelier of Ken Fukumura in Kyoto. Through these presentations, they suggest wearing the beauty of colorful nature.

Exhibition at Tokyo collection
Venue: EBIS 303 Date & Time: March 23, 2pm
Contact to: LEWS TEN Co., Ltd.
#506 Le Soleil 2-3-4 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051
Tel: +81-3-5772-1484 / Fax: +81-3-3470-1530
URL : http://www.matohu.com
Mail : matohu@lewsten.com

Shop information
6th floor in Daimaru Tokyo
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
Tel: +81-3-6895-2113
Tel : +81-3-6895-2113
URL : http://www.daimaru.co.jp

Exhibition information
Title: matohu '09-'10 AW Collection "Kabukimono"
Venue: Showroom at Atelier matohu
Date: 2009 April 7 to 10
Time: 10am to 7pm




Brand name :
mintdesigns
Designer :
Hokuto KATSUI / Nao YAGI

The brand "mintdesigns" was launched in 2001 by three designers, Hokuto Katsui and Nao Yagi, who both studied in St. Martins, and Yusuke Takeyama. They have participated in JFW since 2003. This brand received a prize at "Moet et Chandon new designer award" in 2005, and made a presentation in "UNIQLO Designers Invitation Project" in 2006. Their experiences of learning in Japanese companies are the backbone of this brand's high quality sewing.
In 2007, they opened "mintdesigns garage store" in Shibuya Parco, then held an opening show at "2009 Spring-Summer Sao Paolo Fashion Week" in 2008.
Without staying in only fashion field, "mintdesigns" is trying to offer an affluent daily life through their creative activity.

Exhibition at Tokyo Collection
Venue: Tokyo Tower Parking Center (Basement)
Date & Time: March 23, 9pm

Contact to: mintdesigns Ltd. 13-14 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0044
Tel / Fax: +81-3-5458-4166
URL : http://www.mint-designs.com
Mail : info@mint-designs.com

Shop Information
mintdesigns garage store
Address: B1F, Shibuya Parco Part 1, 15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8377
Tel / Fax: +81-3-3464-7833
URL : http://www.mint-designs.com
Mail : info@mint-designs.com





Brand name :
SOMARTA
Designer :
Tamae Hirokawa

Tamae Hirokawa became independent from Issei Miyake after working for 8years as a designer. In March 2006, she launched "SOMARTA", and it received a new designer award at Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix in 2007.
Her first participation in JFW was 2007 (S/S). Her presentation of non-knitted knitwear named "Secret Garden" which is one of the projects from "2nd skin series" caused sensation in audience.
In this series, there are "Guardian" which a body seems like etched with flowered pattern, "Robin" in the motif of bird's feather, "ARUMURE BIJOU" a knitwear which can be worn like wearing jewelry. Also, "Royal Linen Bag" - the hemp products which the fantastic drawings of small animals in the garden from "The Secret Garden" were printed on, and "Secret Bag" which "Secret Garden" were printed on and so on are included in this series.

Exhibition at Tokyo Collection
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hall A, Date & Time: March 26, 1pm
Contact to: SOMA DESIGN
#405 Yoyogi Crest, 1-49-13 Nishihara, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0066
Tel/Fax: +81-50-1079-1589
URL : http://www.somarta.jp
Mail : soma@somarta.jp

Showroom Information
ESTEEM PRESS
Address: 3rd floor, Suzumaru-Daikanyama Bldg., 4-3 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0033
Tel: +81-3-5428-0928
Fax: +81-3-5428-0929
URL : http://www.esteem.jp
Mail : naito@esteem.jp

Shop Information
RESTIR TOKYO MIDTOWN
Address: D-0102 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052
Tel : +81-3-5413-3708
Fax : +81-3-5413-3709
URL : http://www.restir.com
Mail : info@restir.com

Exhibition Information
Title : SOMARTA AUTUMN / WINTER 2009-2010
Venue : Rin 3F Space
Date : 2009 April 1 to 5
Time : April 1: 4pm - 9pm
April 2 to 4: 11am - 9pm
April 5: 11am - 7pm




Brand name :
THEATRE PRODUCTS
Designer :
Akira Takeuchi / Tayuka Nakanishi

The designers, Akira Takeuchi and Tayuka Nakanishi, went to the same school, ESMOD JAPON. After finishing school, both worked on installations and stage costumes while they had jobs in the apparel companies.
On October 2001, they launched "THEATRE PRODUCTS". They continue to make presentations of their collections in fashion show style since 2003.
"THEATRE PRODUCTS" is named after their thoughts that the clothing is theatrical thing because wearing clothes is completed with being set with "time" and "space" around you, and running a company is also theatrical in the sense of designs, productions and distribution.

Exhibition at Tokyo Collection
Venue: Laforet Museum Harajuku Date & Time: March 23, 6:30pm
Contact to: THEATRE PRODUCTS Ltd.
5-9-19 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel: +81-3-3403-7690
Fax: +81-3-3403-7510
URL : http://www.theatreproducts.co.jp
Mail : info@theatreproducts.co.jp

Press Information
Kaori Kanamori at THEATRE PRODUCTS Ltd.
5-9-19 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel : +81-3-3403-7690
Fax : +81-3-3403-7510
URL : http://www.theatreproducts.co.jp
Mail : info@theatreproducts.co.jp

Shop Information
THEATRE PRODUCTS Shibuya PARCO SHOP
Address: 4th floor, Shibuya Parco Part 1, 15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8377
Tel : +81-3-3477-5911
Fax : +81-3-3477-5911
URL : http://www.theatreproducts.co.jp
Mail : shibuya-shop@theatreproducts.co.jp

Products are also sold in more than 20 shops in Japan and Hong Kong.





Brand name :
LEP LUSS
Designer :
SEIJI IGETA / YOSHIKO KATO

The meaning of the company name LESS PLUS DESIGN is: "to get rid of the unnecessary , and claim the essence." Their intent is to give clothing meaning , instead of just designing fashion as ornamentation .
The brand LEP LUSS debuted at Tokyo Collection Week in Spring-Summer of 2009. They scraped off all ornamental elements, and pursued the meaning of every element, even a single dart, the result being clothing that expresses clear ideas through simplicity. The origami-like details and beautifully shaped forms attracted much attention.
Igeta works for A-POC, part of the ISSEY MIYAKE group.
Kato lived in France after working for YVES SAINT LAURENT and ISSEY MIYAKE FETE.
In 2008, They founded LESS PLUS DESIGN. In Spring-Summer of 2009, they debut at Tokyo Collection Week as the brand LEP LUSS.

Collection
3/26 ZEL CAFE/GALLERY *By appointment only
1st 14:00- 2nd 16:00-

Exhibition LEP LUSS AUTUMN / WINTER 2009-10
3/30 13:00-18:00 3/31‐4/3 10:00-18:00
Contact : DOERS INC. +81-3-5475-3471 Attn:Kamiya

Head office:
LESS PLUS DESIGN CO.,LTD.
1-13-15-406 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL&FAX : +81-3-3780-1481
Mail:info@lessplusdesign.com

Press :
Naoko Tanigawa
PRIMA CLAIRE INC
TEL +81-3-3770-1733
FAX +81-3-3770-1850
Mail:info@primaclaire.com

Commercial:
DOERS INC
Tel: +81-3-5474-3471
Fax: +81-3-5475-3472
Email:kamiya@doers.co.jp

Designers who studied London and Antwerp

MIKIO SAKABE
Mikio Sakabe graduated from Fashion Course at Royal College of Fine Arts Antwerp with honors in 2006. He has officially made presentation for his ‘07-’08 A/W Collection at the Paris Collection. He has been presenting his collections in Tokyo and Paris since the ‘08 S/S. Shueh Jen-Fang was born in Taiwan. When she was a student at La Cambre in Brussels, Belgium, she met Sakabe and came to Japan to launch MIKIO SAKABE.

AKIRA NAKA
While Akira Naka was in the U.S., he met a tailor and this meeting led him to start designing. When he was a student at Royal College of Fine Art Antwerp, he was selected to join the Hyeres International Mode Festival. Subsequently, he studied under the knit designer in Antwerp and returned home in 2006. In 2007, POESIE was launched. From 2008, he changed his label’s name to AKIRA NAKA.

writtenafterwards
Yoshikazu Yamagata graduated from Womenswear Course at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2005. He won three categories of the International Competition, “its#3″. After working for John Galliano as an assistant designer, he returned home. Kentaro Tamai graduated from Menswear Course at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2004. He worked for Margaret Howell U.K and Japan as a menswear designer. They established writtenafterwards inc. in April 2007.