Always a Step Ahead of Fashion and Trends
The first European exhibition to provide a comprehensive survey of Japanese fashion from the 1980’s to now is being presented at the London Barbican Centre, open until February 11th. With over a hundred garments made in the past 30 years, mostly borrowed from the famous Costume Institute in Kyoto, the exhibition explores Japanese sensibility towards fashion in all its diversity. The Western comprehension of beauty completely differs from the Japanese culture, while the Eastern ideal of beauty is embodied in fashion and garments.
Visionaries such as Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto, have redefined the very definition of fashion, defying the established Western notion of beauty, while turning fashion into art and architecture. Kawakubo’s protégé, the techno-couturier Junya Watanabe also features in the exhibition, together with the renowned Jun Takahashi. The newest wave of street fashion is also present, embodied in the Cool Japan and anime ideas.
While some creations are completely wearable, only Lady Gaga could pull off the majority of them. Still, daily run–of-the-mill activities such as eating, sitting, or going to the bathroom are virtually unimaginable in some of those elaborate dresses/objects.
Kate Bush, Head of the Barbican Gallery, pointed out that the tight silhouettes of Western couture were discarded for new fluid shapes. Out went the extravagant techniques of the post-war tradition and in came a stark, monochrome palette and an entirely new decorative language along with fascinating ornaments.“
Click here for more on the exhibition.
Photographs: Barbican.org
