Japanese fashion inspire US designers

20 Jan '06

2 min read

Japanese Kimono has been attracting the Western fashion designers due to its vibrant colors, style and versatility.

One of the major trendsetting districts in Japan is Tokyo's Harajuku.

Harajuku has become hip not only with the local teenagers but also with international designers.

It was pop-star-turned-designer, Gwen Stefani who first introduced the Harajuku world to the West with her, album 'Love. Angel. Music. Baby.' featuring 'Harajuku Girls'.

She cast light on fashionable young women of Japan with her line Harajuku Lovers that is a hit in the US.

New York fashion ramps have seen many styled, restyled, and re-vamped versions of kimono.

Disney also helps to shape those trends by developing partnerships with Japanese fashion companies.

Jeff Daggett, Vice President, Disney's Softlines-Japan, observes style trends in Harajuku, including the recent popularity of eye treatments and fashion contact lenses, and discusses them with other counterparts from Asia and elsewhere.

In 2004, Disney collaborated with a Tokyo-based retro-punk label Hysteric Glamour to create high-end T-shirts featuring Tinker Bell, the blonde pixie of 'Peter Pan' fame.

Hand woven kimono from Kyoto is also rapidly gaining recognition.

Various designers get inspiration from Japanese culture and life-style.

And, who else but Los Angeles-based fashion jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino can be called a leader among those who have admired Japanese style, for decades.

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