Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2026 S/S, which concluded last week, brought together renowned designers from Japan and abroad to showcase a diverse range of collections. The city of Tokyo breathes life through fashion, and the entire city instantly transforms into a runway, creating a sense of excitement once again this season. One show that attracted particular attention was the first runway show by mukcyen, winner of the Grand Prix at the JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD 2026. Designer Yuka Kimura is a Gen Z creator, born in 1998. She has garnered support for her unique worldview, built on a keen sense of self-awareness.

Courtesy of mukcyen

A Gen Z Designer's Imagination of "X-Day"
This season, mukcyen drew inspiration from the prophecy that "the world might end," which emanated from Japan in July 2025 and caused a stir across Asia. This fear of the future leads Kimura's gaze to the more familiar, everyday. What if "that moment" occurred while you were sleeping? What if it occurred while you were having a meal after work? This imagination superimposes fragments of the everyday with the uncertainty of the future, and through clothing, poses a new question: "The intersection of the apocalypse and everyday life."

Courtesy of mukcyen


Clothes for Unpredictable Times
Inspired by the idea of preparing for an uncertain future, practicality was strongly reflected in this season's collection. The brand's signature second-skin wear combines the comfort of loungewear with the versatility for outings by layering cupra material. Its close-fitting design acts like a "second skin for survival." Products that simultaneously protect and flatter, such as the "Encapsulation" series incorporating the design of bags and the Scapra Harness, which accentuates the shoulder blades, graced the runway.

Courtesy of mukcyen


Illogical Time and Quiet Bravery
The collection's underlying theme is not transience or fragility, but a strength that "is unafraid to fall or get hurt." Matte-textured jumpsuits feature jacket lapels and large pockets, creating a design that alternates between neatness and casualness. Draping and layering treat the body like a terrain, elevating the clothing as "preparation for prophecy." The models' outfits evoked a sense of protective attire, but also a therapeutic quality that embraces the soul.

Courtesy of mukcyen


The future lurking in fragments of everyday life
Kimura has stated that he wants to create good things for women. His designs go beyond functionality; they are imbued with an intention to translate the anxieties and fleeting nature of everyday life into clothing. The red-dyed fabric and ripped silhouettes are devices for preparing for an uncertain future, while at the same time highlighting the drama lurking in the mundane everyday.

Courtesy of mukcyen


A new sense of emergency sensualism
This season, mukcyen presented a new sense that can be properly called "emergency sensualism." The clothes were born from the intersection of the fear of a sudden future and the comfort of everyday life. These clothes demonstrated a way to discover new beauty while protecting the body and emotions. The sharp questions posed by this Gen Z designer are likely to transcend the excitement of Tokyo Collection and spread throughout the world.

Courtesy of mukcyen
Courtesy of mukcyen
Courtesy of mukcyen