Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO, which kicked off the women's show circuit for the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, kicked off on August 28th. KANAKO SAKAI, now in its second year and fifth season, kicked off the first day with its first runway show.


Courtesy of KANAKO SAKAI
The brand won the Grand Prix Award at the JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD, which was launched by the Japan Fashion Week Organization (JFWO) last year. This season, the brand's originality, which has been highly praised since its debut season for utilizing traditional Japanese craft techniques in material development, is expressed in a coat dress woven with mother-of-pearl woven from shells by the Kyotango weaver "Tamiya Raden." The brand further refines its concept by incorporating color techniques themed on the surface of water and the movement of light, and by mixing the cultural gap between Western and Japanese culture into its designs. The brand's spirit is brought together in a light-hearted collection, set against the background theme of RC Succession's live tune "Welcome."


Courtesy of Kanako Sakai
On the first day, other brands including NaNo Art, HARUNOBUMURATA, WILDFRÄULEIN, KAMIYA and FETICO will also be presenting their collections in the form of shows. Including online presentations, 50 brands will be participating in Tokyo Fashion Week until the final day on September 2nd.

Courtesy of KANAKO SAKAI
Courtesy of KANAKO SAKAI
Courtesy of KANAKO SAKAI

text: tatsuya noda