Japan has produced some world-renowned fashion designers. They have not only created a reputation for themselves in Japan, but in other fashion capitals of the world. Their contribution in taking Japan onto the global fashion platform cannot be overlooked and they will always be placed in the Japanese fashion designers Hall of Fame.

Some of these designers have been listed here, with a brief introduction to them :

• Limi Feu :
  This designer initiated her own label in 2000 at the Tokyo Fashion Week. She debuted at the Paris Fashion Week in October 2007, amidst a lot of praise and recognition for her innovative designs.
• Hobbytech :
  He is the founder and main designer of the KIKS TYO, which is famous Japanese street-wear label. Apart from being a fashion designer, he is also a renowned DJ in Japan.
• Junya Watanbe :
  This designer is known for his innovative and distinctive style of clothes. He is also refered to as a ‘techno couture’ designer.
• Rei Kawakubo :
  She is the renowned founder of Comme des Garcons. She is also a member of the Chambre Syndicale du Pret-a-Porter.
• Takeo Kikuchi :
  He is a renowned spectacle frame and chronographs designer.
• Hanae Mori :
  She is the most honored female fashion designer in Japan. She is the first and only Asian woman, who has been admitted as an official haute couture design house by the French federation francaise de la couture.
• Yohji Yamamoto :
  he is a renowned Japanese fashion designer, who is based in Paris, Japan and New York. He has many global fashion landmarks to his credit.

The fashion of Japan is blend of traditional and modern styles and trends. In fact, according to experts the fashion of this Oriental nation has evolved to what is popularly known as Japanese street fashion, with traces of the traditional Japanese clothing trends.

The street fashion trend began to take shape during mid-19th century, when the west began to influence the way the Japanese wore clothes. However, at that point, no one accounted for the fashion trends to be termed as street fashion. This term came into play much later. In fact, Japan’s final plunge into the genre of street fashion happened in the 21st century.

According to experts from the global fashion world, the term ’street fashion’ denotes the fashion wherein the wearer personally customizes the outfits in such a way as to adopt a blend of the current and traditional trends. These clothes are largely made at home with the material bought from the stores. Presently, in Japan this trend not only combines the modern with traditional, but also local with the west.

There range of styles include the extremely avante garde, as well as the Japanese gothic fashion. In fact, for an expert to zero on a particular predominant trend in Japan is rather difficult, as the contemporary general trend is rather individualistic, with each person making their own style statement.

In fact, one can trace the continuously changing Japanese street trends in the various issues of one of the leading fashion magazines in Japan – FRUiTS. This magazine is largely popular as it is considered as one of the prominent promoters of street fashion in Japan. Shoichi Aoki has made contributions to this publication since 1997.

The latest trends on the Japanese fashion circuit include a wide range. In fact, according to fashion experts, it is difficult to pinpoint a particular focal trend in Japanese female fashion, since there seems to be an interesting intermingling of varied trends. Yet, the experts provide,

here a list of what predominates Japan’s present fashion world, largely tilting towards Japanese hip hop fashion…

• Platform shoes seem like the in thing for most of the younger lot of women.
• The older lot, which here means those bordering over their mid-twenties and moving into their early thirties prefer the mules.
• Women of all ages prefer wearing the sling bag over their shoulders, that too in bold, solid colors.
• Their hair is mainly copper-red with bleached effect; and shag type-any-length cuts.
• The in color is anything in pink, though to be more specific the voted shade is pale pink.
• Whether matching or not most have a long rectangular scarf wrapped around their neck. This maybe in wool, pashmina, or anything else that looks as expensive.
• If its an evening out then the sling bag is replaced by the small designer bags.
• And if it is the shorter skirts, then the legs are wearing knee-length stockings in black. Some of the younger lot, flaunt their fish-net stockings.
• Though of varying lengths, yet the popular pick seems to be knee-length straight skirts.
• Denims are in shades of dark blue. The jeans are of the straight-cut variety, with younger women wearing those that are cuffed 3-inches at the bottom.

When it comes to men and fashion, well up to about two decades ago, most men would wear anything given to them. Color combinations and fabrics hardly mattered. All that mattered to them was comfort. So, their mother, sister, wife or girlfriend could go out there shopping for them, without worrying about whether the man would like it or not; or for that matter wear it or not.

Circa, the 2000s and men, in general, no matter what the age is rather conscious about what he wears. It is important to look good. His choice and likes and dislikes matter. Today, comfort is important, but more important is fashion and style. Is he in keeping with the latest fashion trends? This is the first question he asks himself when he stands in front of the mirror buying something new.

This is the global man of today – conscious of what he wears. So, others cannot really shop with him, unless they have all the specifications clear. Well, that is very clear to all women shopping out there for their male folk.

This is a universal trend. In fact, when it comes to Japanese male fashion, there are two types of men – the working and sophisticated tribe and the street wearing younger hip-hop lot. In keeping with this disparity the men’s fashion is divided into these two categories. Whether the former category is concerned the trends are simple business-at-work clothing. Well-fit trousers with a large variety of smart-work-shirts. And the latter, there is no end to variety – the youngsters are no less than self-acclaimed rock stars.

For the hip hop street clothes freaks there is color and style. The western rock and pop influence reigns through, apart from the original Japanese trends. In fact, there are some local Japanese boy bands that are considered to be fashion icons not only their home country, but even in other western nations. They have that impact, because of their trend-setting ways.

There are a number of magazines in Japan that publish news, events and updates, specifically for the fashion and beauty industry. Some of these magazines are largely trade magazines or what are termed as business-to-business magazines. These are not only circulated in the Japan trade circles, but also sent to trading partners across the globe. In fact, the business-to-business magazines publish information across every avenue of the latest in Japanese fashion.

These trade magazines function like periodic fashion trade guides, providing people involved in the garment industry contact others involved and set up joint business ventures. For instance, a new set up in threads can announce their launch through such a magazine and attract business this way – not only from local designers and clothes manufacturers, but also from manufacturers abroad who get a copy of the magazine. These magazines, not only in Japan, but anywhere in the world; are considered as the fastest and surest means of reaching the target trade audience.

Then there are the business-to-consumer magazines. These are also known as the popular range of magazines that are meant, more specifically for the consumers. Their purpose is to relay information to the consumers in terms of the latest trends and attract them to visit stores and boutiques and make purchases. There are, in fact, some Japanese teen fashion magazines that not only provide all the latest fashion announcements, but also valuable fashion and beauty related literature, because of which they are rather popular.

There are a couple of publications that are placed at the Japanese fashion stores, so that consumers can go through the latest publications, while they are shopping. This is so that the consumers are more aware of the latest trends and fashion and are encouraged to make the right purchases, in keeping with the times.

Apart from fashion, there are beauty publications, too that provide the latest Japanese hair fashion. In fact, many would not be aware but the hairstylists and hairdressers of the Orient are considered to be innovators and pioneers in trend-setting hair styles and haircuts.

During the ancient times, the courts of Japan copied the courts of China, where fashion and clothing was concerned. In fact, historical findings that date back to the Han Dynasty, 200 BCE to 200 CE, show that the people of Japan wore clothes identical to those worn by the people of China, at all levels of society. According to the experts this is not a surprising finding, as the Japanese are known to have established large scale trade relations with the nations surrounding them.

Ancient Japanese fashion during the Sui and Tang, late 6th century to the early part of the the 10th century, was also largely influenced by the Chinese fashion stylists. During the year 718, the Japanese Yoro Clothing Code had brought about clothing restrictions that are believed to have been completely influenced by the Chinese Tang codes. It was during this period that Kimono came to be worn as left over right wrapping.

Later during the early Heian Period, 894, when the diplomatic relations between Japan and China were ended, Japan began to create its own native style of clothing. It was then that much detail was provided to the Japanese clothing fashion in terms of color, combination and textures of the varied fabrics that was used to create the fine clothes worn by the men and women, alike.

Post the Heian Period came the Kamakura Period. This was a stark era, clouded mainly in functionality, as against the previous era of excesses in court life. The many layers of the Heian period were done away with, and were replaced by the more functional garments for the men and women of Japan. The next era, the Muromachi Period, heralded a return to decadence in the form of more elaborate robes.

With the Momoyama Period, Japan witnessed a return to Heian style of traditional Japanese fashion. This period has been termed as the age of decadence. The fashion of this period was largely gaudy in color, with clashing fabric ensembles. There was an abundance of gold leaf and embroidery. The Tale of Genji became the popular garment-motif decoration.

It was during the era between 300 years before Year One, till 300 years later that the Japanese were bound to :

• Grass fibers
• A luxurious type of extremely expensive cloth sold by the Chinese

This luxurious fiber was silk, which was only available to those, who were a part of the Imperial Palace in Nara. And the joke goes that silkworms were available to the rest. Coming down to a later stage in the history of Japanese fashion, the men wore a garment called ‘kinu’ during the 4th and 5th centuries. This was a long sleeved double extra large blouse. This was an important era, as it was also the time when they invented the Japanese Culotte, also known as ‘hakama’.

The first ever fashion dictator of Japan was Prince Shotoku, who came into the picture around the year 574, and existed till 622. He merged the clothes of the Sui dynasty, with the Hans dynasty and created unique designs. His designs were made into the national dress of that era. This garment was the extra-long and extra-large robes. These, in the present day and age, are worn by the ‘Noh’ and ‘Kabuki’ stage actors.

Coming down later to the Heian era, the royal women wore robes that were of 5, 6 or then 12 layers. However, the common person wore simple robes that would flow – extra-large and extra-long. Moving one era down to 1463 to 1600, wherein the robes were even more simplified, continuing the trend through the era dated 1603 to 1867.

The era dated 1868 to 1912, heralded the European influence into the imperial Japanese clothing, especially where the royal men were concerned. Even women wore robes that had the influence of the west. Thereafter came in the modern era with the famous Japanese street wear.