Style Inspirations from Japan

Think about Japanese society and culture and notions of excitement and calm are sure to flow. Consider the contrasts of buzzing food stalls in Tokyo with Japanese tea ceremony. Spring/Summer 2008 trends include safari, urban/futuristic and neon colors with inspirations from Japanese culture running through designer clothes collections and accessories.

Chiffon and Butterflies

Sheer chiffon is the fabric for tops and dresses this Spring/Season. Alexander McQueen, with the Gucci group, in his Spring/Summer catwalk showed Japanese obi (belt) around hour-glass modelling of chiffon dresses. Alexander McQueen clothes can be bought from Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Alexander McQueen.

The Alexander McQueen at Harvey Nicholls butterfly print chiffon dress, a fine gradient of neon color from red at the neck through orange, yellow, green, aqua and blue at the hemline, belted at the waist, blends neon bright lights, kimono elegance and enduring butterfly motif. Butterfly motifs on hair clips remain fashionable for hair styling and for race day hats and headwear.

Sparkle and Beauty

The Elle Designer of the Year 2004 and Central St Martins London graduate, Matthew Williamson, included butterflies in his earlier collections. This season’s clothes including the black cropped quilted silk jacket with lame trim by Matthew Williamson at Cruise, offer sparkle with cultural cues from Japan. Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller, co-stars in "The Edge of Love" (2008), speak highly of Matthew Williamson, the Manchester-born designer of Matthew Williamson Company and creative director at the Italian fashion house Emilio Pucci:

• “His dresses are like fairytales – each and every one of them” (Keira Knightley)
• “His clothes are always exquisitely beautiful with a twist” (Sienna Miller)

Wearing block colours of golden yellow or Japanese fuchsia pink in separates or dresses will bring sparkle or warmth to summer evening parties. For Japanese-inspired style, buy a manga graphic maxi dress instead of safari and floral prints.

Kimonos and Spa Treatments

For men and women, a white kimono tied, as in Japan, left over right is thing to wear at a day spa or at home spa treatments. For a real splurge and pampering, search out Japanese inspired hair and skincare at a hairdressers, spa or to buy online. Relaxation in soothing cool balms, green tea products and silk treatment masques will follow.

Designer clothes for women in the Spring/Summer season were inspired from Japanese kimonos in terms of belting and close fitted tops. Flower colors, including the national flower of Japan the chrysanthemum, was clear in several collections. Pink and green floral print-tops by Balenciaga can be bought for wearing with to-the floor skirts or jeans. Don’t overlook Japanese details for shoes – silk textiles, greens, whites and bamboo colors and woodblock soles.

This season, women can display some Japanese details in clothes, hair accessories and shoes. Evocative of Tokyo nights, flower garden scents and shape of Oriental costume, there will be something to buy for outfits to call out made in Japan.

Tokyo Gardens

Evening in Tokyo

Japanese Textile Print

Japanese Doll

Shoes in Japan

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