Japan Fashion Week Preview Leaves NYFW Dazzling and Classy

by Barb on February 19, 2010

Overlooking SoHo, 82 Mercer’s 2nd floor was filled with excited guests and previews of the hottest Japanese designers in anticipation of next week’s Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo. Featuring three preview designs each from aptform, CHAOLU lab, MIKIO SAKABE, Naoshi Sawayanagi, SHIDA TATSUYA, The Dress & Co. HIDEAKI SAKAGUCHI, tiny dinosaur, and YU, models stood on risers and spotlighted with strong lighting, while waiters meandered through the crowds serving hors d’oeuvres and wine.

When we often think of foreign designers, especially from Asia, there is a perception that the aesthetic is incredibly different. However, this preview seems to disprove such thoughts, as we can see similar taste in trends for this upcoming fall and winter. The bohemian look is ever present, but with more hints of warmer palettes than what we have seen so far from the tents. Furs were present plain and with patterns,as well as blazers and plays on what was once seen as purely office wear.

On the way out of the venue, guests were handed their coats from check-in and a canvas bag, which contained an invitation to the Japan-FPO Exhibition this weekend at La Venue featuring several of the designers seen at the presentation.