Tokyo Fashion Week Fall 2014: Part 1
Tokyo Fashion Week is well underway, and Savvy Tokyo is in attendance. Here is a report from Monday and Tuesday’s Runway Shows. Be sure to follow Savvy on Instagram and Twitter for immediate photos and video updates from the shows.
Sretsis
Tokyo Fashion week kicked off with Thailand-based brand, Sretsis. Seen on the likes of Katy Perry, Zooey Deschanel, Beyonce and other A-list celebrities, the quirky yet insanely girly line is growing at a progressive pace. The brand has a great way of marrying classic elements with quirk and wit.
The latest collection channeled vintage cheerleading uniforms, leather rompers and madmen-esque trousers paired with graphic sweaters. The feminine sillouettes acted as just the canvas, as large appliqué floral poms, statement collars, tiered sleeves and graphics exhibited the designers’ girly yet peculiar intentions.
Mr. Gentleman
Longtime designers Takeshi Osumi and Yuichi Yoshii joined forces in 2012 to launch their menswear line, Mr. Gentleman. With the concept of creating classic pieces with a contemporary edge, the duo concentrates on materials and colors to modernize basic designs.
The fall collection debuted traditionally designed varsity jackets, blazers and trenches in camo, heavy tweeds, plaid and rich wools, styled over knitwear and patterned button-up shirts. Unconventional twists came in the form of sweater jumpsuits, a trench coat romper. and blazers, sweaters and hoodies with quilted accents. While most were in the earth tone hues, a series of canary yellow sweaters and jackets came in a variety of textures.
Atsushi Nakashima
Former assistant of Jean Paul Gaultier, Atsushi Nakashima returned to Japan from Paris and started his own brand in 2011.
Atsushi’s fall collection began with a light show at the foot of the runway. Reminiscent of mosaics and shattered glass, the opener gave us a glimpse into his design inspiration, with the backdrop and separates in vibrant reds and blue acting in unison. Apart from dresses and matching skirts and tops, geometric-patterned blazers, sweats, and sweaters in dark charcoal brought a more causal vibe. More avant-garde pieces were seen towards the end of the show with leather structured dresses and menswear sweaters pieced together in various materials and triangular shapes.
Somarta
Since 2007, Somarta has been presented consistently at Japan Fashion Week. Designer Tamae Hirokawa also has a line of tights and body wear called Skin Series, the concept of which is “possibility of clothing on the body.”
An enchanted forest of mannequins dressed in lace, rhinestone and studded body suits created the setting for the Somarta runway show. Pleated A-line skirts and dresses with asymmetric hems were layered over lace body suits and styled with blazers and motto jackets with heaps of construction detailing. Deep navy, greens and camel were seen on the majority of the separates, however pops of burnt orange were used attractively, adding more edge to the collection.
Araisara
Owner of couture boutique in Mejiro, Tokyo, Sara Arai began her line in 2008 with the intention of fusing traditional oriental culture and modern fashion.
Held in a theater near Ginza, Araisara’s show commenced with a sequence of lava lamp-like images on the big screen. Bleeding colors of red, white and black were displayed for the entirety of the show, matching the hues in the oriental patterns on shift dresses, trenches and capes. Blazers and blouses with a floral gradation print were styled with silk skirts and sheer front trousers.
For more recaps of Tokyo fashion week, click here.
