We very rarely talk about Japanese clothing fashion, and yet... Japanese fashion is everywhere and inspires many designers and fashion brands. Simple cuts, neutral colours, natural materials, etc.
Today Kajiro takes you to discover 4 Japanese clothing brands available in France, so you too can adopt the 'Japan touch'.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo is a unique concept of casual, quality clothing for everyone. Created in 1984, the Uniqlo brand masters the entire clothing-making process — from concept to design, through production, sales and marketing.
The clothes are universal, with simple cuts, mainly natural materials and a neutral colour palette.
Uniqlo never stops innovating and always aims higher by focusing on making clothes with innovative, technological fabrics, as with the AIRism collection that combines technology and comfort. With a view to always evolving further.
More than a clothing brand, UNIQLO is a philosophy. A perpetual questioning drives us to improve the existing and change conventions.
UNIQLO believes that everyone can benefit from simple, well-made clothes. Because if everyone can feel better thanks to their outfit, then the world has a chance of being a little better.
UNIQLO in Japan created LifeWear: perfect, good-quality pieces.
LifeWear is simplicity improved.
MUJI
MUJI offers an alternative to consumer fashion that favours brand and logo, with a sober, minimal style. The brand was born in Japan in the early 80s.
The brand produces quality, affordable, functional products relevant to the needs of today's urban life.
In addition to clothing, all MUJI brand products respect certain precepts:
- a clean, functional design.
- basic, sober colours.
- good value for money.
These principles bring a strong coherence between the different MUJI products.
But what about the name 'MUJI'? It's the abbreviation of the Japanese "Mujirushi Ryohin" which means: "quality products without a brand".
Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto is considered one of the greatest Japanese designers; he created his eponymous high-end clothing brand in 1971, in Tokyo.
Avant-garde, the couturier fully embraces his choice never to follow trends. His style is revolutionary. His creations are often black or in dark colours and have loose cuts. He takes inspiration from menswear to dress women, taking the stance of discreet sensuality.
Yohji Yamamoto considers his brand an artisanal fashion brand; he openly criticises the most media-friendly designers, accusing them of being TV personalities.
The 1991 Yohji Yamamoto Homme show is commonly presented alongside that of the Japanese brand Comme des Garçons, whose designer is none other than Rei Kawakubo, the couturier's former girlfriend.
Comme des Garçons
Contrary to what one might think, the brand Comme des Garçons isn't French. It came into being in 1969 in Japan, launched by the Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo.
The style invented by Rei Kawakubo is new; it questions Western criteria: beauty, the shape of the body, the creation of the garment, etc. The designer moves away from trends and offers a unique style to her collections. Comme des Garçons collections are marked by the exclusive use of black, by recurring asymmetry and by a deliberate degradation of certain pieces that are holed or torn.
Today, Comme des Garçons has become an internationally renowned brand and has collaborated with many brands such as Levi's, Converse, Nike, Lacoste, or even Louis Vuitton.
Kajiro invites you to discover fashion in Tokyo, thanks to the founders of the Bonne Gueule brand and their visit to various Japanese clothing workshops.
