rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Getahead » LFW: Japanese designers put up a brave face
This article was first published 13 years ago

LFW: Japanese designers put up a brave face

Last updated on: March 11, 2011 23:07 IST

Image: At the Lakme Fashion Week, three Japanese designers Motonari Ono, Tamae Hirokawa and Sara Arai present their stunning collections. The above image is a creation of Motonari Ono.
Photographs: Rajesh Karkera

The timing couldn't have been worse. Hours after their homes and cities were ravaged by the tsunami, three Japanese designers: Motonari Ono, Tamae Hirokawa and Sara Arai presented their clothes at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

This is the first time any Japanese designer has presented their work on the Lakme Fashion Week ramp. Their combined show was titled Tokyoeye.

Earthy shades

Image: A design creation of Motonari Ono

Motonari Ono's collection started with earthy shades that coincidentally and heartbreakingly reflect the pensive mood that prevails in the country today.

Take a bow

Image: A design creation of Motonari Ono

Ono can be extremely strong on details, and he certainly did not bow here. He experimented with the entire spectrum of silhouettes, which ranged from flounce to structured.

Hand in glove

Image: A design creation of Motonari Ono

The collection moved from the earthy shades to the mustard ones. Here, one saw a hint of Ono's trademark black gloves.

Saying it with black

Image: A design creation of Motonari Ono

The gloves were more prominent in the last of the three phases of the show, as the collection turned graver than ever. It turned all-black.

The designer takes a bow

Image: Designer Motonari Ono takes a bow

The ever-shy Ono takes a bow. Later at the press conference, he said he didn't speak English. But he did say he was overwhelmed by the amount of media persons around in India!

Getting under your skin

Image: A design creation of Tamae Hirokawa

Somarta, by Tamae Hirokawa, best known for the 'second skin' series, had some interesting silhouettes to offer too. This was one of the few pieces that lived up to the dare-bare reputation of the collection.

The Colour Purple

Image: A design creation of Tamae Hirokawa
Designer Tamae Hirokawa of design house Somarta showed her collection at the Lakme Fashion Week but didn't show up to take a bow at the end of her show.

Wearable fashion

Image: A design creation of Tamae Hirokawa

While the 'second skin' series is in itself was extremely racy, Lady Gaga was seen in one herself. Most of the collection we saw on the ramp here was immensely wearable.

Shoe me the money

Image: A design creation of Tamae Hirokawa

For all those with shoe fetishes, Somarta's collection was a dream. These ones, for instance, have no heels, and practically stay afloat a few inches from the ground.

Lacking symmetry

Image: A design creation of Sara Arai

Sara Arai of Araisara is a designer who has devoted herself to the research and restoration of old Japanese traditional dyeing techniques. We quite liked this asymmetrical design and the symmetry of this one!

Speaking to Rediff, the Japanese designer said she was excited to be in India. She will be showcasing her unique line Yohen Zomei (magical Japanese dyeing technique that changes colour with changing shades of sun's light) to showcase her collection at the LFW 2011.

"I'm very excited to be in India. It is a wonderful opportunity to start an exchange of ideas between India and Japan," she said. The essence of her art is based on weaving traditional Japanese dyeing techniques into contemporary Indian style.

The Yohen Zomei dyeing technique was used to design Emperor's robes in Japan. "The real magic is visible in direct sunlight," Sara Arai said through an interpreter. "But we will try to showcase the magic even in made up light tonight."

She also stresses the point that her designs are inspired by "the spirit of the Orient that encompasses its culture, scenery and natural surroundings."

Sara has come to India on the invitation of the organisers as part of the efforts by the organizers of LFW to sync international fashion trends with Indian designs.

"It is sad and very unfortunate that the Japanese people are going through a catastrophe now," she said referring to the devastation the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the consequent tsunami have created in Japan.

Beachwear in black!

Image: A design creation of Sara Arai

A sheer black cape over a perfectly fitted swimwear!

Saying it with white

Image: A design creation of Sara Arai

This lovely white deep-neck gown with a dash of black had us swooning.

Summer project

Image: A design creation of Sara Arai

Sara's collection features a Japanese dyeing technique that changes colour with changing shades of sun's light. It is best seen in daylight but Sara did weave a spell of magic on the ramp.

Taking a bow

Image: A design creation of Sara Arai

The designer takes a bow and ends the show. A little before the show, she told us through an interpreter that she was excited with the idea of being in India.