The Shinmai Creators Project

The Shinmai Creator’s Project is sure to breathe a bit of new life into JFW, meanwhile giving some relatively up-and-coming designers some fantastic exposure. The organization is set to become an annual affair, after this year’s success and will be featuring five new designers and their work, at Japan Fashion Week each year.

The requirements were: that the designer’s experience does not yet exceed the time of 10 years and also, of course, they must have a strong interest in and passion toward Japanese design and manufacturing… and of course, recommendations from highly notable sources, such as professors at prestigious fashion academies. The winners were to show their designs in a special presentation at Japan Fashion Week, this year.

So, in the end, five winners were chosen out of a slew of designers – 52 brands, from 34 schools, in 17 countries, to be exact. On the selection committee were such reputable folks as Nobuyuki Ota (who is the now president of Issey Miyake Inc.), Valérie Toranian (Elle France’s editor in chief)and many more.

The brands/ designers chosen were Sachio Kawasaki (Japan), Nima by Nima Taherzadeh (Iran), Shida Tatsuya by Tatsuya Shida (Japan), aéthéré(e) by Ly-Ling Vilaysane & Adrien Escarvage (Switzerland, France) and Donna Sgro (Australia).

While I wasn’t in love with all of the designers’ work, the majority was definitely great. I wasn’t feeling Donna Sgro or Nima, so I am not going to post them up on here, because I’m just discriminatory like that.

However, I am really glad that these three, who’s work you can see below my rambling, are getting such exposure and they all definitely brought their A-game for JFW. I think they fit so well among the existing Japanese design aesthetic and hope they are invited to continue showing in the future.

aéthéré(e) F/W 09.10

I really like their work as it has a strong sense of ease, comfort and movement. In the same vein of Yohji, their plays on volume are really done well. Although this aesthetic, when pulled off correctly, can look mature – so it’s great how they’ve injected a lot of youth into the looks with the cuts and details. I like that the duo didn’t go flashy in any way; the collection is basically devoid of gimmicks and I respect that. The minimal pieces, styled in a heavy way, speaks a lovely message all on it’s own.

Sachio Kawasaki F/W 09.10

Kawasaki’s work is unique and filled with potential. Off the bat, the silhouettes are what immediately grabbed me, but the linear designs are really gorgeous as well. I like the structured silhouettes, coupled with the really fluid designs… he’s managed to create a really gorgeous effect with this. The execution of this is almost alarmingly good for someone with less than 10 years of accumulative design experience, but of course, that’s what makes it so exciting.

Shida Tatsuya F/W 09.10

If ever a designer belonged at JFW, it is this guy. In fact, it’s hard to believe he’s only showing as a guest, in comparison to most of the seasoned designers who show every season. The colors are used so well and give such an impact but you’ll find that things only get more impressive once you look beyond that. I am pretty blown away by a lot of the pieces; the whole aesthetic isn’t something we’ve never seen but the pieces themselves are divine. I mean… long, heavy, draped and bound fur skirts? Oh yes.