"So each season, [fashion consultant Loic] Bizel takes fashion industry buyers from America and Europe — mass clothiers like Hennes & Mauritz of Sweden and Topshop of Britain — to buy up bagfuls of the latest hits. The designs are then whisked overseas to be reworked, resized, stitched together and sold under Western labels."
So to those who find Japanese fashion weird.... just remember this, 'its not weird, it's just innovative and ahead of others' because what these people don't realise is that in six months to a year after criticizing a "weird" look that was done by the Japanese, they'll probably be wearing something similar simply because its "in" and what all the weatern labels are currently marketing and selling.
Such an ironic world we live in.....
Quote from http://thefashpack.onsugar.com/6895936
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Chanel Tattoos
Having said in one of my earlier posts about how cool tattoos are to me personally, despite the fact that I'll probably never get one myself (eczema sucks big time!), I was pretty surprised at the number of brands that featured transfer tattoos and body paint in their catwalks, such as Rodarte, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel.
Chanel's versions aren't like the usual crummy kind you see with horrid roses, swallows and hearts with the word "mum" in it. Their's are the classy kind, the type which turns heads when a girl passes by you with that tattoo emblazoned on her legs (or wherever body part she wishes to stick it on...), and makes you go "aaahhhh, I want that too!"
With bangle, beads and floral designs, all incorporating the trademark Chanel logo, I'm so willing to splurge on it despite the fact that it'll probably wash off in 2-3 weeks time.
As quoted by Elle UK, "The perfect fashion-beauty hybrid trend, transfers are the new statement jewellery". I couldn't agree more!
Les Trompe L’œil de Chanel, set of 55 individual tattoos, £49 by Chanel is said to be released on 1st March, I'll be waiting impatiently till then....
Image and information from http://www.elleuk.com/news/Beauty-News/chanel-transfer-tattoos-set-to-launch
Moises De La Renta X Mango Collection
Despite the fact that I prefer posting about fashion that is more or less related to Japan, one way or the other, I still can't ignore what's happening round my backyard. Amongst the brands that my fellow Singaporean teens and twenties love, Mango is most likely among the top 5 favourite brands among the majority.
So I can't help but throw in this nugget of information about Mango's most recent collaboration, this time with Moises de la Renta (son of Oscar de la Renta) the founder of MDLR.
"Romatic themes" and "graphic illusions" are said to be the key inspirations behind his work, with flowers seemingly the central theme in the collection as it is adorned on most of the necklines of the series of t-shirts. The colours used in the collection are mostly blacks, greys and white, bit dull moi thinks.
The collection is said to be released in 1st March and priced at bout US$36- US$50, but considering the time it takes to ship the products over to this little city and the price exchange, I think I'll pass from getting anything, though the shirt with the white rope print is calling out to me persistently....
Image and information from http://thefashpack.onsugar.com/6935229
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Kanye West's Recurring Role as Bathing Ape Model
Kanye West is proving his loyalty to famed Japanese label A Bathing Ape by appearing as their model for their 2010 spring/summer catalog.
Modeling the brand's signature graphic hoodies and urban cool looks, he graces the cover of the brand's newest catalog and was shot by Japanese photographer Keiichi Nitta. The rapper even wrote in his blog his opinion about the shoot and company.
“THIS SHOOT WAS MAD FUN. THIS COLLECTION USES REALLY GREAT FABRICS, EASY TO WEAR CUTS AND STILL THE OCCASIONAL SUPER EXPRESSIVE DECADENT PRINTS. BAPE RAN THE LAST DECADE AND THEY’RE READY FOR THE NEXT ONE!”
After West's stage jumping and attack at Taylor Swift, I wonder if Bathing Ape made the right decision to hire him as their model again.... but then again no one seems to remember that incident anymore so perhaps its simply old news that's been swept under the rug and won't affect the brand much?
Pac-Man Inspired Clothing
A new line of clothing created by DJ Teki Latex uses iconic imagery from Pac-Man to create shirts that feel of both the present and the past.
“The Pac-Man is a symbol of my generation,” Teki said in a recent interview. “Classic yet modern.”
His new line is due to a collaboration with Japanese brand Phenomenon and is built around the iconic sliced-pie image of Pac-Man. “When you wear the cardigan on top of the tee shirt,” Latex says, “the Pac-Man is hidden but the triangular shape still appears.”
But games aren't the only geeky reference point for the designer's line. A cardigan embellished with polar bears take reference from the TV series Lost.
The "Teki Latex X Phenomenon" collection will be available online from Jan 5th. However, the clothing don't come cheap, t-shirts are being priced at 7140 yen (around US$77) and the polar bear cardigan is roughly priced at US$417.
Images and Information from http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/01/pac-man-clothing/
Japanese Fukubukuro Bags
The days after New Year's tend to lead shoppers into a frenzy and the biggest reason has to be due to the Fukubukuro (Happy Bag, Lucky Bag, Msytery Bag etc.) that most stores offer in order to kick off the New Year.
Shoppers everywhere clamor for these bags because these bags contains items that are worth far more than the price you pay for them. The only catch is that you have absolutely no idea what's in them as the bags are sealed. So you may end up getting clothes that don't fit you or are in colours that simply look weird, some stores also put in their past seasons clothes that they couldn't sell off into these bags so there is some risk when you buy them. However, considering that you're probably paying $10 for $100 woth of clothes, shoes and accesories, the value greatly outwieghs the risk and there's always the fun element of surprise in what you get in the bag. Its little wonder that many Japanese girls look forward to the New Year sales and many popular shops and brands often have queues forming hours or even days ahead of opening. Fukubukuro also tend to come in limited quantity, so its important to get into the shops early before they're all gone.
Laforet Harajuku famously starts their fukubukuro sales on Jan 1st, but many other shops including Shibuya 109 start their sales on Jan 2nd. Generally crowds, lots of noise and mayhem tend to occur but not like these will stop any savvy shoppers out there.
Images and information from http://tokyofashion.com/japanese-lucky-bags-2010-lots-of-pictures/
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Free Japanese Magazine - MIG (Made In Girls)
Near the end of 2009, the first issue of a new free Japanese fashion magazine was released. The magazine is named "MIG" as it follows the acronym of "Made In Girl" and it claims to be "made by girls, for girls!"
Free magazines aren't new in most shopping districts but standing out from the crowd can be rather difficult and MIG does so by having cute and artistic photos in their magazine. It also contains lots of mini-features - mostly in Japanese with a sprinkling of English on girl-run clothing shops and fashion brands in Tokyo.
The cover girls of the debut issue feature twin Japanese fashion modles and TV personalities, Ami & Aya wearing cake hats. Inside the magazine, there are tons of pictures of the twins looking absolutely adorable with Lady Gaga hairbows, dressed up in Hello Kitty make up and costumes, recreating the retro 50s look, and other scenarios depicting them in as cute a way as possible.
Other articles in the magazine mention profiles and photos of several female owners and designers from popular Tokyo shops/brands. Two of the profiled include Galaxxxy and Grimoire, two brands whose products you can see on a regular basis on the streets of Tokyo. MIG also features the profiles of non-fashion related girls such as, Japanese artist Yuko Kanatani, some partying OLs, Radical Idol Trickstar, girls from the Shinjuku cabaret club Regend, and a couple of girl idol groups from Akihabara.
If anyone has interests in the Japanese fashion scene and want to check out female designers who aren't as well-known outside of Tokyo, MIG is definitely worth checking out. Though there's nothing in depth or serious, its a magazine that's cute, quick and fun, and generally a light read. Although it's considered a fashion magazine, as it contains alot of fashion in its first issue,there is a little message inside saying that they will focus on other things such as music and culturein upcoming issues.
Information and images from http://tokyofashion.com/mig-made-in-girl-free-japanese-magazine/
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