Japan has long been a hub for innovation in the fashion industry, with numerous brands pushing the boundaries of design, materials, and craftsmanship. These brands continue to inspire and captivate fashion enthusiasts with their creativity and commitment to pushing the envelope. Among these, Doublet, LASTFRAME, Noir Kei Ninomiya, Junya Watanabe, Yohji Yamamoto, HUMAN MADE, sacai, Mihara Yasuhiro, and Kolor stand out as prime examples of Japanese ingenuity and creativity.
1. Doublet: Founded in 2012, Doublet made its debut with the Spring-Summer collection in 2013. While the brand's designs draw inspiration from basic and standard products, Doublet takes a unique approach by infusing them with innovative ideas to evoke a sense of "strangeness" in everyday wear. The eclectic collection includes ready-to-wear garments, shoes, and accessories, offering a delightful range of fashion choices for the discerning fashion enthusiasts.
2. LASTFRAME: LASTFRAME is a brand that seamlessly fuses streetwear and high fashion. LASTFRAME skilfully blends timeless classic elements with modern influences, seamlessly uniting Japanese craftsmanship rooted in tradition with the global perspective of its founder, Takanohiro Okude. Whether paired with body-con dresses or denim, the iconic Market bag from the brand adds a touch of playfulness and vibrancy to any outfit, while maintaining its inherent adaptability.
3. Noir Kei Ninomiya: Noir Kei Ninomiya is a Japanese brand by Kei Ninomiya, established in 2012. After graduating from Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Kei Ninomiya worked under Rei Kawakubo as a designer and pattern maker and heads up his own brand under the Comme des Garçons umbrella. His collections are predominantly in black—although smatterings of white and red can sometimes be found as a nod to the cherry blossom that rains down over Tokyo in March.
4. Junya Watanabe: A protégé of Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe's eponymous label is renowned for its cutting-edge designs and deconstructive approach. Watanabe often collaborates with other brands and artists, resulting in collections that are both visually striking and conceptually profound.
5. Yohji Yamamoto: Yohji Yamamoto is a true legend in the fashion world. His brand is synonymous with avant-garde, oversized, and drapery-heavy designs. Yamamoto's work often challenges conventional notions of beauty and elegance, making a bold statement about individuality and self-expression.
6. HUMAN MADE: Created by NIGO, the founder of streetwear brand A Bathing Ape, HUMAN MADE combines vintage aesthetics with a modern twist. The brand's commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship shines through in its unique collections, which often feature Americana-inspired designs. With Human Made, NIGO introduces a distinct fusion of quality, authenticity, and whimsy that captivates fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
7. sacai: Already a well-regarded name in women’s wear, Chitose Abe’s menswear for sacai bears the same experimental and edgy aesthetic as its sister line. The former COMME des GARÇONS designer melds sound tailoring with quirky Japanese styling and detailing. The brand’s creative message of “design built upon the everyday” means these are not clothes that are victims of ephemeral trends but rather the building blocks of a sensible wardrobe.
8. Mihara Yasuhiro: Who would have thought a shoe designer could find second life and success as an up-and-coming directional menswear label? Tokyo-based Japanese designer Mihara Yasuhiro takes inspirations from streetwear and then applies traditional tailoring and craftsmanship to produce designs that are experimental in shape, silhouette, styling. His signature aesthetic – quirky fabric mix, layering, and graphic patterns – have seen a build-up of following.
9. Kolor: Surprising, subtle detailing and a perfection for quality over trend is a common tie among Japanese designers; Juniche Abe’s 2004-launched Kolor is no different. With a fastidious eye to cut and construction, the Tokyo-based brand whose aesthetic is classic matched to stylishly offbeat details is a stealth style winner.
