A pop-up shop called "Japanese Mode Designers by HOSOO Textile" is currently running on the third floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku until January 5, 2016, focusing on jacquard weaving by Hosoo, a textile manufacturer with over 300 years of history in Nishijin, Kyoto. The shop showcases items by Mihara Yasuhiro, Christian Dada, Noir Kei Ninomiya, and others that use Hosoo textiles. In recent years, Hosoo has been garnering attention both domestically and internationally, taking advantage of its jacquard looms that are wider than the width of an obi belt. Luxury brands like Dior and Mikimoto have even used their textiles for wallpaper. The shop's buyer is enthusiastic, saying, "We want to present fashion that incorporates modern Japanese elements, somewhere between Western clothing and kimono, in time for the new year." Among Christian Dada's FW15-16 collection, long dresses and sukajan jackets featuring generous amounts of Hosoo jacquard made a striking presence. Rather than solely highlighting Japanese elements, the exhibition also showcased items that beautifully blended Japanese and Western styles in contemporary fashion. Furthermore, Mihara Yasuhiro showcased men's suits and dresses from his FW13-14 collection, boldly using Hosoo jacquard. This time, the lineup included items and outerwear featuring Hosoo jacquard on shirt lapels and collars. Noir Kay Ninomiya also showcased tops and skirts featuring a black-based textile with a variety of red and gold weaves. The jacket lining was made of a see-through material, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the distinctive features of Hosoo jacquard, which also appears in the lining's vibrant colors.
The aforementioned buyer commented, "Several artisans are involved in the intricate weaving of Hosoo fabric, which uses not only silk but also gold and silver threads. It goes through more processes than regular fabrics, and is therefore expensive due to the skill and time required. I hope you'll take this opportunity to try it on for yourself."
Why not take this opportunity to experience the collaboration between three designers who have earned acclaim for their bold use of traditional Japanese materials in their designs, along with a time-honored technique that can directly express Japanese identity?
