Took this photo today on my way back home from the supermarket. Sakura is here, spring is here! I better work hard today, in order to meet my deadlines earlier than expected. I want to take a stroll to Ueno park tomorrow, as more pink beauties and the hanami craziness await!
GOOSEPUMPS. That, and pleasant shivers down my spine, is what I got when I attended the Jotaro Saito runway show today. The audience was full of elegant Kimono-clad ladies, I felt I was definitely in good company.
Jotaro Saito is a modern Kimono designer, just like his father Sansai Saito was (he held his farewell show together with his son last autumn). The art of Kimono dyeing runs in their family. Jotaro Saito aims to present Kimono as “fashion matched with modern space.” In addition to being a Kimono designer, he is also a costume, interior and product designer.
The contrast of the traditional and the modern was evident in the show, in a well-executed way. The combination of lights, music, models – everything, was perfect, at least for me. I loved the music choices they had, like Hybrid and London Grammar. The bass was heavy and pounding, as the models looking like gods and goddesses glided on the runway. The lights created a beautiful, graphic, asymmetric pattern, in shades of gold and petrol. Sadly the photos I took with my camera phone are way too fuzzy and pixelated to share (I need a proper camera!)..
As for the Kimono, I certainly agreed with the colors and patterns. Fresh, delicious jewel colors, with monochrome tones. My eternal favorites. Graphic patterns mixed with beautiful floral patterns and shapes – I love contrasts. My only dislike are the fur shawls and scarfs. I don’t know are they real or not, but in any case, fur is not on my menu. I prefer to stay away even from fake fur, as I feel it is still sending a wrong message.
At the end of the show, the smiling designer came down the runway with his models. So many ladies rushed from the audience to present him with flowers and gifts. You could feel the admiration and respect towards the brand and the designer from everyone in the audience. You could feel the love.
I truly am touched and grateful to be able to see this show. I think it’s wonderful that the genius style, that is Kimono, is going on strong. Think of how many traditional garments do you know, that are still being used in daily life, at least for some? That are still cherished and manufactured, sold even in department stores? Respecting and remembering tradition does not mean it should stay static, unchanged. It can still evolve and stay with the time, without loosing it’s true nature.
Images below except for the last one via tokyo-mbfashionweek.com
Bura Bura Chipi - ぶらぶらチッぴ 