colorsshowsnewspeopleplacesshopstrends

narahato
was started by about 10 inhabitants of Narahamichi in Fukushima, a town that was too near the nuclear power plant that exploded in 2011. The inhabitants were evacuated and some of them started creating traditional zori to both break the boredom, and to create a little income. They had no straw available, so they started using T-shirts. They had received lots of clothes as donations, many of which they could not use because of the wrong size or other reasons, so they had a ready supply. Later they also started making zori from old kimono. The zori are meant for inside use, but there is no reason they can’t be used outside. Narahato zori are sold at only two small shops in the countryside, but if you are interested in buying them, leave a message on their Facebook page and they may be able to assist you.

Saian Nishikata
started selling what she calls mobile art this year April. These are beautiful iPhone cases decorated with traditionally dyed Japanese silk. The delicate colors are a delight to the eyes and make a great contrast to usual iPhone cases. Nishikata started as an artist in 2008 and hails from a family running a traditional dyeing and weaving studio.

Kichijitsu
means lucky day in Japanese (吉日). The brand consists of traditional Japanese items that have been given a pop update, like a mobile phone case that looks like a traditional container for omamori (amulets sold at shrines and temples), or a notebook that is based on the books used for collecting pilgrimage stamps at Buddhist temples. The brand started sales in 2011. Many of the products are sold at museum stores, but they can also be bought online at kokokashiko.jp.

WAGANSE
is the brand of Japanese hat designer glico. Although 57, she started her company only in 2003. So, it is still a very new brand. Glico’s designs are extremely elegant with some designs harking back to earlier times or even being inspired by a Miyazaki movie. “I want women to look beautiful and I love antique things, so I try to bring old designs back to life for our modern times,” she told me. The company’s products are only for sale online for now, but the company hopes to soon sell at stores as well.

TSURU
by Japanese shoe designer Mariko Oikawa is one of our favorite shoe brands. JAPANESE STREETS covers Oikawa’s brand almost every time we visit rooms, because each time she has a completely new collection, always thoroughly feminine.

Verybrain
Is an Osaka based company creating street fashion that we covered for the first time way back in 2011. This year they started a new lingerie line called VB, which aims to bring youth and cuteness, and a faster heartbeat, to women regardless of age.

LUVRA
is the brand of Japanese designer AiVY. She started her brand in 2012, but sales only started this year. At the moment, her products are sold at the Cannabis store in Harajuku and online at the HP France Mall. Her items have a girlish 90s neon look that is great for a night out on town.

Neb araan do (previously NEVERLAND)
is the brainchild of Designer Eily and Director Jammy. When I first met them some two years ago, Jammy told me that she really disliked her uniform back in her schooldays and wanted to create something positive out of that bad feeling. As a result, the two have created the loveliest uniform-inspired clothing line you can imagine.

Masaya Kushino
studied in Kyoto and Italy and creates gorgeous leather shoes and bags.

Kei Kagami
studied architecture at Meiji University while studying at Bunka Fashion College at the same time. An amazing achievement as both are very demanding studies. The London based shoe designer worked at the architectural firm of Kenzo Tange before becoming an assistant of John Galliano. After moving to London, he also studied at Central Saint Martins. With so much talent and study you get pure genius!

I can’t find a site for his company. Let me know if you do!

Hideki Seo
worked as a graphic designer in Japan before studying fashion at the Royal Academy of fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. He then became a first assistant at Azzedine Alaïa in Paris, where he’s still working now.

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