Tokyo Fashion Week for the Masses

One of Tokyo’s biggest fashion festivals is about to descend upon us. To some it may seem that every day in Tokyo is a fashion celebration (hello, perfectly coiffed manes, immaculate styling and sky-high heels), but twice a year Japan Fashion Week Organization presents a weeklong series of runway shows and exhibitions, promoting Japan’s top designers and showing the world why Tokyo has the best street style to date. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo will be held March 17 to 22, taking place primarily at Shibuya’s Hikarie building. If you frequent the neighborhood, odds are you’ll get a glimpse of editors, buyers, and bloggers hustling to and from shows, surveying collections and reporting the trends we can expect to see this coming fall.

But fashion insiders aren’t the only ones who get to partake in the festivities. A number of events that will occur parallel to the big runway shows are open to the public, allowing any enthusiast to be a part of the city’s fashion fête. Check out an exhibition, try on the newest trends in accessories, sip on fashion inspired cocktails, hit up a few pop-up shops, or visit Shibuya’s largest department stores for special events and promotions. Have fun exploring the culture of one of the world’s largest fashion hubs.

Also, be sure to follow Savvy Tokyo on Instagram and Twitter to get instant updates from MBFWT’s biggest shows.

Read on for the scoop on fashion week events that are open to the public.

Exhibitions and Special Events

Shibuya Fashion Week: Shibuya Blooms

When: Mar. 10-23

Where: Around Shibuya Station

What: The Shibuya Fashion Week Organization will host the very first, Shibuya Fashion Week in hopes to promote the area through fashion. Shibuya’s largest department stores such as Seibu, Tokyu, PARKO, Marui, Shibuya 109 and many more will collaborate in communicating the area’s fashion culture through various events and promotions. Live performances and shows will be held in front of the Hachiko exit at Shibuya station on March 14 through 16.

Tokyo New Designers Grand Prix Exhibition

When: Mar. 21-24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Where: Shibuya Hikarie 8F Court, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

What: Four new brands, which have been selected by the Fashion Business and Education Council of Japan, will be exhibiting their 2014-2015 autumn-winter collections.

RoomsLink

When: Mar. 18-21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: Belle Salle Shibuya Garden, B1 Sumitomo Fudousan Shibuya Garden Tower, 16-17 Nanpeidaicho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

What: RoomsLink is a combination of trade show and runway shows, showcasing Asia’s latest trends to buyers and press from around the world.

Hub Tokyo: Honeycomb Vol. 6

When: Mar. 19-21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: La Collezione, Minami Aoyama Collezione Bldg., 6-1-3 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

What: Check out the showroom Hub to view exhibitons from a variety of brands and collections dedicated to the “Honeycomb” theme.

Sweets Runway Vol.9

When: Mar. 13-24

Where: Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs B2F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Mercedes Benz Connection, 7-3-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

What:  Sweets cafés located in Shibuya’s Hikarie building and Mercedes Benz Connection in Roppongi will introduce a new collection of fashion-inspired treats for those who want to experience a marriage of style and taste. For a limited time only, the cafés will release their seasonally themed “cherry blossom pink” desserts in an effort to fuse fashion and food.

Zakka Runway Vol. 2

When: Mar. 13-26

Where: Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs 1F, 2F, 3F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Info: Zakka Runway will release the newest trends in accessories while teaming up with Sweets Runway on the “cherry blossom pink” theme. From blush hued handbags to peach toned wristlets, have fun trying on the sakura inspired accessories and adding a pop of pink to your wardrobe.

MBFWT Designers’ Cocktail Runway Vol. 3

When: Mar. 13-26

Where: Various restaurants inside Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Mercedes-Benz Connection, 7-3-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

What: Designers participating in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo have channeled their designing skills into mixology, releasing original cocktails they designed specifically for the event. The spring inspired cocktails will be available at a variety of restaurants within fashion week venues.

Pop-Up Shops

Missoni Pop-Up Store

When: Mar. 13-19

Where: Tokyu Department Store Shibuya Flagship, 2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Info: Shop the iconic Italian brand’s 2014 spring and summer collection at this limited-time pop-up store.

Jun Okamoto Pop-Up Store 

When: Mar. 14-25

Where: Shibuya Parco, 15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

What: Jun Okamoto will showcase and sell pieces from his latest collection, the theme for which is “word-rode, clothes which have words.” Also on display will be drawings and merchandise from Naota Kitamura.

Mila Owen Pop-Up  Store

When: Mar. 6-Apr. 9

Where: Tokyu Toyoko Shibuya Pop-Up Stage A, 2-24-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

What: Mila Owen will be debuting its first collection at this pop-up shop. This casual Japanese brand is dedicated to sticking with the basics, avoiding trends and promoting timeless, sophisticated pieces.