Ginza Fashion Week (GFW), the first joint event between the three Ginza department stores—Matsuya, Mitsukoshi, and Printemps—kicked off on the 16th. Unfortunately, Typhoon 26 made landfall on the morning of the first day, but the storm passed by by the afternoon. All scheduled events were held as scheduled.

The event has been held at Matsuya Ginza and Ginza Mitsukoshi since October 2011. This fifth edition marks the addition of Printemps Ginza, and joint projects and events will be held until the 22nd under the shared theme of "Japanese Sensibility, GINZA WARM HEART."


"GFW was started with the goal of invigorating Japan, but we have been invigorated by the collaboration with Japanese producers. This time, the three stores are co-hosting a new event under a new logo, and we aim to make a new leap forward for the Ginza district," said Matsuya Ginza Store Manager Takehiko Furuya. In particular, this year's event focuses on Japan wool, reflecting the current resurgence in Japanese manufacturing. Matsuya Ginza will offer 72 items from 59 brands, all featuring domestically produced wool, primarily from Bishu. Ginza Mitsukoshi has partnered with Japan's leading fabric manufacturers, including Nippon Homespun, Nakaden Woolen, and Eigaru's, to offer 15 women's brands, 35 men's brands, 3 women's accessories brands, and 7 living projects. Printemps Ginza will also offer 50 original products featuring Japan wool, 35 of which will be sold exclusively at the store. "By collaborating with the three Ginza stores to promote the quality of Japanese wool, which is recognized by the world's top brands, we hope to convey the high quality and unique character of a department store," said Hideyuki Murakami, general manager of Ginza Mitsukoshi. Pink mannequins jointly developed by the three companies will be displayed on the facades of each store, holding shoppers from each of the three stores, and will be decorated with a common theme. A "GFW Special Goody Bag" featuring sweets and miscellaneous goods jointly developed by the three stores will also be on sale. Each store will offer its own unique fashion show, champagne service, and mutual parking during the period, expanding services more than ever before.

Masahiko Ito, manager of Printemps Ginza, which is participating for the first time, said, "We hope to expand Ginza from a single point to an entire area, and by participating in this adult town that targets young people in their 20s and 30s, we hope to attract a younger generation who are unfamiliar with Ginza. We hope to involve even more Ginza commercial facilities in the future, and make this an event that will help revitalize the town itself in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics seven years from now."