Japanese fashion is not only about kimono, strict silhouette and tribute to traditions. It is also a synthesis of East and West, a tribute to our own history and drawing inspiration from different parts of the world. Avant-garde and practicality, aesthetics and quality - Japanese fashion designers are deservedly loved by their fans and respected by world-class critics.
Kenzo
Takada Kenzo's career began in the 70s of the last century. It was then that the debut of the fashion designer's collection took place and his first store called "Japanese Jungle" was opened. Prior to this, the designer promoted the idea of Japanese clothing in the French magazine El. However, recognition for a specific artist did not come immediately.
European critics did not recognize the freedom of cut, bright colors and oriental ornament of Kenzo models. However, perseverance and self-confidence helped the exotic designer achieve his cherished goal. In 1976, Takada registered his own clothing line, whichover time, it resulted in several lines, which finally strengthened Kenzo's position in European fashion.
80s were marked by a riot of colors. The clothing collections of the Japanese designer are dynamic and bright, which goes against the dullness typical of Europeans in the autumn-winter period. About his style at the time, Kenzo said:
All trees are green. We saw so many green trees that we forgot: trees can be pink! But if all trees were pink, I would show you a green tree.
It was under this motto that the opening of a menswear line and several shows in Paris took place.
Takada Kenzo's style is a combination of the incongruous, the brightness of color, the dominance of Japanese ornamentation, references to nature and futuristic prints. Stripes, flowers and cells on a multi-layered volume - a unique author's style. Kenzo is an eclecticism that blew an eastern breeze into the European calm.
Issey Miyake
Issey Miyake is significant among the famous names of Japanese fashion designers. By the time he moved to Paris (1965), he already had his own collection called "Poem of Cloth and Stone". Living in the fashion capital of the world allowed the young author to attend the School of the Syndicate and work as an assistant in the houses of Guy Laroche and Hubert de Givenchy. After getting acquainted with European aesthetics, Miyake went to the States for inspiration.
1971 is the year of the birth of Issei's own brand - "Miyake Design Studio", as well as the release of a collection of clothes from an already established author. exactingthe public praised the plain T-shirts with images of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and members of the yakuza. Before Issei, no one sought to play on a mixture of Western and Eastern trends.
Designer's clothing inherited simplicity and comfort from the Japanese style, as well as dynamism, coupled with unusual prints from the European style. This allowed Miyake to make a name for herself in both fashion worlds. A feature of the author's style of Issei is the ability to transform clothes. This is reflected in his next collection "Piece of Cloth".
"Without the ingenuity of those who will wear it, my clothes are not clothes. It provides room for the imagination of the consumer, who can understand it in his own way," said the designer.
The combination of West and East is a hallmark of Miyake's style. However, the author does not focus only on her. His philosophy is to constantly look for something new, while inviting fans into the world of fashion through the ability to transform clothes.
Tadashi Shoji
Japanese fashion designer Tadashi Shoji proclaimed sophistication, quality and nobility in evening fashion. At one time, the master of refinement took a course in fine arts in Tokyo and trained with Jiro Takamatsu, a famous artist who set the tone for Japanese art in the 60s of the last century. After gaining experience in his homeland, Tadashi decided to expand his horizons of imagination through his studies at the University of Los Angeles and collaboration with Billy Witten.
Whitten was the mostsought-after costume designer in the 70s. Thanks to interaction with him, Tadashi got the opportunity to design clothes for stars whose names have not been forgotten to this day. Elton John, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder - they all sported Witten suits.
After receiving his diploma, Tadashi assessed the situation in the world of beauty and came to the conclusion that evening fashion is experiencing a certain crisis. Among the extravagant and sometimes defiant models, there were no truly worthy and exquisite outfits for the fair sex. In 1982, the Japanese designer founded his clothing line "Tadashi Shoji".
The first collection delighted both critics and colleagues. Graceful simplicity, elegance and unobtrusive luxury - Tadashi declared himself as a master who gives women worthy beauty. The artist still adheres to his line. Natural silk, Venetian lace and handmade work remain the signature style of Tadashi's house.
Motohiro Tanji
Motohiro Tanji is a Japanese knitwear designer who prioritizes functionality, asymmetry and elegance. Cardigans with voluminous collars, feminine jackets, tight-fitting dresses and sweaters of non-standard design - the handwriting of the master is aesthetic and recognizable. Coarse knitting, unusual braids, fringes and frills are a sign of style, while natural wool thread gives warmth and comfort.
Yoji Yamamoto
Yoji Yamamoto was the first Japanese conceptual clothing designer to combine it with sportswear. In hisManga and animalism influences can be traced in the works, and biker themes can exist in incredible amounts of black while maintaining functionality.
The designer has several clothing lines, a joint project with "Adidas" and a collection of women's hats that are absolutely amazing in their unusualness. The worldwide demand for Yamamoto's pieces is a clear recognition of the artist's genius.
Hiroki Nakamura
Hiroki Nakamura is a Japanese designer of not only clothes, but also shoes and accessories. In addition to his homeland, he received recognition in Paris and New York, which quickly provided him with worldwide recognition. The discerning public of both sexes had time to appreciate the master's love for natural materials and the incessant changeability.
Indigo Camping Trailer concept men's line, WMV women's line and Nakamura's brainchild Visvim are suppliers of high-tech and comfortable clothing. The designer's style is a tribute to American and Japanese traditions, as well as borrowing folk style from the northern peoples.
Quality, comfort, environmental friendliness and high wear resistance - the author's style of Nakamura. However, the master is no stranger to outrageousness, because he is the author of such sensational fashion memes as a huge black down jacket (size 15XL), a giant denim jacket (size XXXXL) and an umbrella with an area of 418 square meters.
Noriyuki Shimizu
Noriyuki Shimizu is a relatively new representative of Japanese design. He is less pretentious than hiscolleagues who tend to be either avant-garde or functional.
While still a student at the College of Fashion, Shimizu created memorable prints for many famous Japanese houses. However, having become an independent author and founded his own brand "Name", the master preferred minimalism, atypical for Japan, which played at the expense of small non-standard inclusions in the design of models.
Recently, Shimizu has begun to introduce a slightly different variety to his brand. Deconstructivism and asymmetry combined with the spirit of North Africa and Sri Lanka, bright colors are new trends in the author's creative soul, presented to a wide range of fans.
Akiko Aoki
Akiko Aoki is a rising star in the sky of Japanese fashion. The girl founded her eponymous brand in 2014 and has already made a name for herself at Tokyo Fashion Week. Her style cannot be compared to typical Japanese design. The synthesis of national African and Asian culture, intelligently adapted to everyday needs, was warmly received by fashion critics and colleagues of the novice designer. Returning to the roots and adopting someone else's experience is what the future is for, according to Akiko Aoki.
