Japanese fashion is not only kimono, severity of silhouette and tribute to traditions. It is also a synthesis of East and West, a tribute to one’s own history and 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
Career Takada Kenzo began in the 70s of the last century. It was then that the designer’s collection debuted and opened its first store under the name “Japanese Jungle”. Prior to this, the designer promoted the idea of Japanese clothing in the French magazine "El". However, recognition to a specific artist did not come immediately.
European critics did not recognize freedom of cut, vibrant colors and oriental ornament of Kenzo models. However, perseverance and self-confidence helped to achieve the exotic designer of the cherished goal. In 1976, Takada registered his own clothing line, which eventually developed into several lines, which finally strengthened Kenzo's position in European fashion.
The 80s were marked by a riot of colors. The collections of clothes of the Japanese designer are dynamic and vibrant, which runs counter to the grayness typical of Europeans in the autumn-winter period. Kenzo spoke of his style at the time:
All trees are green. We saw so many green trees that we forgot: trees are pink! But if all the trees were pink, I would show you a green tree.
It was under this motto that the opening of the men's clothing line and several shows in Paris took place.
The style of Takada Kenzo is a combination of incongruous, color brightness, the primacy of Japanese ornamentation, references to nature and futuristic prints. Stripes, flowers and cells on a multilayer volume - a unique author's style. Kenzo is an eclecticism that burst into the European lull with an eastern breeze.
Issei Miyake
Issei Miyake is significant among the famous names of Japanese fashion designers. At the time of moving to Paris (1965), he already had his own collection called "The Poem of Fabric and Stone." Living in the capital of world fashion allowed the young author to attend the School under the Syndicate and work as an assistant in the homes of Guy Laroche and Hubert de Givenchy. After exploring 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 the clothing collection from the already held author. The discerning audience praised simple T-shirts with images of Janice Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix and the members of the Yakuza. Before Issei, no one sought to play on a mixture of Western and Eastern trends.
The designer’s clothing inherited simplicity and comfort from the Japanese style, as well as dynamism, coupled with unusual prints from the European one. This allowed Miyaka to make a name for herself in both fashionable worlds. The peculiarity of the author's style of Issei is the ability to transform clothes. This is reflected in his next collection, “Piece of Fabric”.
“Without the ingenuity of those who will wear it, my clothes are not clothes. It provides scope for the imagination of the consumer, who will be able to understand her in his own way,” said the fashion 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 search for new things, provided that fans are invited into the world of fashion through the ability to transform clothes.
Tadashi Shoji
Japanese fashion designer Tadashi Shoji has proclaimed sophistication, quality and nobility in evening fashion. At one time, the master of sophistication took a course in fine art in Tokyo and trained under 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 through his studies at the University of Los Angeles and working with Billy Whitten.
Whitten was the most sought after costume designer in the 70s. Through interaction with him, Tadashi was given the opportunity to develop clothing for stars whose names have not been forgotten so far. Elton John, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder - all these people flaunted in suits from Whitten.
After graduation, 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 challenging models, there were no truly worthy and sophisticated outfits for the fair sex. In 1982, a Japanese designer founded his Tadashi Shoji clothing line.
The first collection was a delight for both critics and colleagues. Graceful simplicity, elegance and non-shouting luxury - Tadashi declared himself as a master, giving women worthy beauty. The artist still adheres to his line. Natural silk, Venetian lace and handwork remain the author's handwriting of the Tadashi house.
Motohiro Tanji
Motohiro Tanji is a Japanese knitwear designer who puts functionality, asymmetry and elegance first. Cardigans with voluminous gates, feminine jackets, tight-fitting dresses and custom design sweaters - the handwriting of the master is aesthetic and recognizable. Large knitting, unusual braids, fringe and flounces are a sign of style, and natural woolen thread gives warmth and comfort.
Yoji Yamamoto
Yoji Yamamoto was the first Japanese conceptual clothing designer to combine her with the sporting field. In his works, you can trace the influence of manga and animalism, and biker themes can exist in incredible volumes 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. Demand for products from Yamamoto around the world is a clear recognition of the genius of this artist.
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 ensured him worldwide recognition. The demanding audience of both sexes managed to appreciate the master’s love for natural materials and the ongoing variability.
The conceptual men's line Indigo Camping Trailer, the WMV line for women and the Nakamura brainchild, the Viswim company, are suppliers of high-tech and comfortable clothing. The style of the designer 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 not alien to the shocking, 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 of 418 square meters.
Noriyuki Shimizu
Noriyuki Shimizu is a relatively new representative of Japanese design. He is less pretentious than his colleagues, who, as a rule, are characterized by either vanguard or withdrawal to functionality.
While still a student at the College of Fashion, Shimizu created catchy prints for many famous Japanese homes. However, having become an independent author and having established his own brand Name, the master gave preference to atypical minimalism for Japan, which played due to small non-standard inclusions in the design of models.
Recently, Shimizu began to bring a slightly different variety to his brand. Deconstructivism and asymmetry, combined with the spirit of North Africa and Sri Lanka, bright colors - new trends in the creative soul of the author, presented to a wide circle of fans.
Akiko Aoki
Akiko Aoki is a rising star in the sky of Japanese fashion. The girl founded her brand of the same name in 2014 and has already managed to declare herself at Tokyo Fashion Week. Her style cannot be compared with typical Japanese design. The synthesis of national African and Asian culture, competently adapted to everyday needs, was warmly received by fashion critics and colleagues of the novice designer. A return to the roots and the adoption of someone else’s experience is the future, according to Akiko Aoki.