Patrick Ryan gave some background information about YAB-YUM’s latest show. As we are soon covering the Japan Fashion Week later this month, I would like to share this with you.

“The collection itself,” wrote Ryan, “is our usual mix of semi couture hand crafted pieces. The underlying theme was a trip along the silk road. The reason for this is that since YAB-YUM itself being a Nepalese word, we had wanted to go back to our roots and to being the most edgy and in depth brand in Tokyo (believe me we WERE before we became the most widely copied brand and lost our footage)!

Originally our brand was heavily inspired by Eastern religious imagery, such as Bhuddist priests. This time we mixed our style with Arabesque print motifs (designed by me) and finished it all off with a look which is more goth rock. I imagine that since you don’t know YAB-YUM at the root you might have been thrown by the “hard” imagery.

BUT in the beginning we were way more edgy and avant-garde than the image of us that became popular, that of soft lacy Victoriana.

We are a completely independent brand and have no financial backing from any outside source! I’d like to imagine that our brand being a favourite this season, is inspired by the fact that the Japanese fashion scene is at an all time low and perhaps a need for introspection and honesty!

Oddly, Mami and I passionately believe in the non-corporate vision. We do this using our own money. This may sound absurd! BUT we love to create and show the world that there can be an alternative to what most people see as fashion…”

Once again, have a look at their creation during the last show. I think they succeeded.