Designer Spotlight–Mihara Yasuhiro

Mihara Yasuhiro is a Japanese designer held in high esteem both in Japan and the rest of the world due to his Avant garde designs with a touch of the urbanite to them.

He started his career in footwear while still at university 17 years ago. They quickly became popular thanks to their innovative edge. In 1997 he formed his footwear label Miharayasuhiro and a year later he opened his first shop Sosu in Tokyo. Once his domination of the footwear scene was complete he smoothly transitioned into menswear with a signature style that’s understated and simply chic.

Being a designer that’s always expanding into different markets – never stopping, aiming higher he now designs womenswear. Last autumn he debuted his S/S 2011 womenswear collection at Japan Fashion Week. It doesn’t fail to deliver – from nautical to rock chic, dressy casual, knitwear, tailored blouses and truly innovative footwear. He utilises high quality fabrics including silk, cotton, wool and the workmanship of his collection is exquisite. This collection has something for everyone. He is definitely one to watch he may not yet be a household name like Issey Miyake or Yohji Yamamoto but it’s only a matter of time.

		S/S 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Mihara Yasuhiro’s S/S 2011 collection is available exclusively at Browns Fashion in London

Yohji Yamamoto Exhibit is coming to the V&A

Yohji Yamamoto was born in Tokyo in 1943. He studies at Keio University before attending Bunko Fashion College. In 1972 he set up Y’s Incorporated and has been seen as a true innovator in fashion ever since.

The unique cut and unusual structure of his clothes has always been in opposition to the more form fitted style of the catwalk. His designs have rewritten a lot of fashion rules creating an almost genderless look. He’s acknowledged with changing clothing stereotypes and his ladieswear ranges often include pieces more often seen in menswear ranges.

His choice of fabrics are vital to his designs and most are made in Japan using traditional fabric making techniques.

The exhibit will chronicle his many collaborations including his work with notable photographers, choreographers and film makers.

This will be his first solo exhibition in London and is a true commemoration of his work. A must see for all Yamamoto fans. It will feature over 80 of his designs and explore his work and his influence on the fashion world. The pieces will be situated all over the V & A – in the Leighton corridor, Norfolk House Music Room, Hinkze sculture galleries, on marble staircases, in the renaissance city gallery and within the tapestry gallery.

The exhibit runs from 12th March till the 10th July.

Its been designed by Yohjis scenographer and lighting designer Masao Nihei. The garments will be displayed along with footage from shows, films, performance footage and photos to really get a sense of his long and illustrious career. He’s previously had successful exhibits in Florence, Paris and Antwerp. But this is the first to feature his menwear collections including his infamous 1998 show where the menswear range was modelled on female models.

The V&A is located at

Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL

Website

Introducing Japanese Student/Blogger Midoh

I first discovered Midoh when she followed me on twitter. She's a really awesome girl and super nice. She's a student from Japan with a huge love of KPop and Hello Kitty :) From the moment we started chatting i've wanted to feature her on my blog as I love her sense of style. She writes a really cute blog that includes posts on Japanese culture, food & fashion. You all should check out her blog - http://mydays-jp.blogspot.com/

If this post is well received I'd love to feature more Japanese bloggers :)

I love her cute but casual style and I love the way she co-ordinates her outfits :)

What do you all think? Should I feature more posts like this.

Fuyume!

Get the Look

This week I'm going to re-create a look from Egoist Fall 2010. I love this look. Old style hats are very on trend this fall and i love thr fringing on the waistcoat.

All the pieces can be bought from the UK and most can be ordered online from the states and further afield.

[caption id="attachment_783" align="aligncenter" width="364" caption="La Redoute"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_784" align="aligncenter" width="362" caption="Matalan"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_785" align="aligncenter" width="362" caption="Esprit"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_786" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="American Apparel"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_787" align="aligncenter" width="398" caption="La Redoute"][/caption]

I'll be doing get the look posts every wednesday from now on now that I've found my blogging feet :)

Japanese Fashions Influence on Western Style and Trends

Japanese fashion is influencing westerners more and more these days. Of course everyone knows of Gwen Stefani's love of Japan with her Harajuku girl backing dancers, Harajuku influence of fashion and of course her super cute Harajuku Lovers perfume. But it goes a lot deeper than that. Japanese fashion may not yet e as popular as high end brands like Versace and Louis Vuitton. But it is slowly being adopted as their fashion of choice by more and more by teenagers and young women in the west.

U.S. and European designers watch trends in Japan especially the Shibuya and Harajuku districts of Tokyo. As the Japanese are usually ahead of the trends and those trends tend to eventually find their way into Western fashion. The Japanese are also very accomplished when it comes to mixing and matching garments and they have a strong emphasis on colour compared to the West's love of monotone shades.

A fact that's not well known is that the majority of high end denim is made in Japan. They use a special dye which makes the denim of superior quality so quite a few of the major fashion houses use it.
Product designers worldwide have focus groups with Japanese girls before the release of ranges for their ahead of trend style.

The blue label of Burberry was developed by Japanese designer Sanyo Shokai for Japanese consumers but is now one of their fastest growing divisions within the company.
Japanese women are trendsetters because they are willing to take risks. They sure know how to dress. They also have a high amount of disposable income. Many still live at home even in their mid twenties while working in well paid professions. This enables them to afford the latest fashion and beauty looks.

Burberry Blue Label

The Japanese fashion revolution began in the 80s with designers like Issey Miyake, Kohji Kamamoto and Comme de Garcons. And its completely extended now with brands like Uniqlo, Kenzo and Muji and quite a few high end fashion houses have Japanese designers at the forefront. Designers like John Galliano, Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld have long been fans of Japanese fashion and regularly go there for inspiration.

Issey Miyake

One current Japanese designer brand to keep your eye on for future trends is Sacai. Headed by former Comme de Garcons designer Chitose Abe.

Sacai

And Jun Takahashi is another. He's been well known in fashion circles for quite sometime. His label is Undercover.

Undercover

Watch this space for more information on these two designers.
I know this was a really long post but its one i wanted to do for quite sometime as i think its a very relevant topic. I hope i didn't bore you too much :)

What did you think of this post?