Japan Fashion Week Comes to New York The Altman Building 135 W. 18th Street January 27, 2009 Written by William S Gooch Photographed by James Bluck Opposite Photo: Mint Design

Japanese Fashion has always been a journey into the world of innovative architectural construction, Tokyo street fashion and cutting-edge realism. During Japan Fashion Week (JPW) in New York City (January 27 to February 1) Japanese designers did not disappoint with designs that demonstrate their penchant for avant garde, irreverent, deconstructionist looks, and at times, the slightly macabre. In the runway show held on January 27, eight designers presented a few looks from their Fall 2009 Collection.

GVGV

GVGV	GVGV

GVGV presented a sample collection highlighted by symmetrically patterned tube dresses with matching patterned leggings. Shoulder-padded jackets and tops completed zippered, high-waisted pants. Reminiscent of the 80s ‘power woman’ look, GVGV’s designs add a sensuous confidence to the urban fashionista.

Hidenobu Yasui	Hidenobu Yasui

Androgyny and baggy, deconstructed designs were the order of the day for Hidenobu Yasui. His strapless, deconstructed khaki dress was an absolute
stunner.

LEP LUSS	LEP LUSS

LEP LUSS presented hot cocktail dresses and separates with some looks that had a slightly androgynous aesthetic. Most effective was the low-plunging black cocktail dress with organza sleeves.

Tiny Dinosaur	Tiny Dinosaur

Loose hanging, over-sized jackets of polished cotton and harmonious construction define Tiny Dinosaur. Designer Naomi Yamamoto’s belief that clothing should be contradictory and harmonious at the same time is evidenced in jackets that hang loosely over fitted tube skirts.

Ato	Ato

Ato’s fluorescent-colored tops with leggings to match reflect Japanese street culture with a hint of sophistication. Although Ato Matsumoto designs mostly for men, his women’s collection also reflects his loose-fitting street aesthetic

Mint Designs

Lastly, but most dramatically, Mint Designs rocked the show with geometrically patterned dresses and puffy half pants. Designers Hokuto Katsui/Nao Yagi’s colorful pop collection themed “Death Pop” sported models with miniature dinosaur skeleton headpieces.

Always ahead in aesthetic and construction, JPW gave us Westerners a bird’s eye perspective on what may be the next trends in fashion. Well, maybe not dinosaur skeletons for hats. Then again, when in Japan!!