Konichiwa, Bitches

OK yes so I am ripping off Robyn in my post title today (love her!!) but here's something for the weekend. If you haven't already, head down to the Barbican to see their latest retrospective , 'Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion'.

This exhibition, the first of it's kind, traces the impact Japanese designers have had on our sensibilities by looking at works by prolific designers: Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe and Yohji Yamamoto, and exploring such themes as the preoccupation with shadows and darkness; and the way in which [these designers] utilised traditional Japanese design processes. The exhibition finishes by taking a look at Japanese fashion today. 

This exhibition precedes the upcoming Yohji Yamamoto retrospective at the V&A in the new year.  In terms of trend forecasting: look out for Japanese references bubbling up in street culture, fashion and music. Spotted so far: 

'Konichiwa' slogan T's in Urban Outfitters

Robyn:

Check. It. Out.

Coming Soon: Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A

I wanted to whet your appetites and tease your tastebuds for the up and coming Yohji Yamamoto retrospective at one of my favourite museums in London, the V&A.  I love retrospectives: the chance to peek into and experience firsthand a designers archive is quite special; it can even be quite intimate. Mr Yamamoto literally exploded onto the fashion scene in 1981 when he moved from his native Tokyo to show in Paris. He is of course best known for his relationship with tailoring, pushing boundaries by exploring new techniques, and going against prevailing moods and trends. Famously he has been quoted as (obstinately - even childishly), 'hating fashion'. For some reason though, I just can't quite believe him - despite all this built up contrariness, I think he just wants to keep us guessing. And I have little doubt that he will be the one having the last laugh at this private joke with himself, that the rest of us will never quite get. I for one can not wait to glimpse into the history of this incredibly visionary designer.

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A will run from March-July 2011