A live photoshoot featuring six models dressed in "KIMONO COUTURE," a new era of traditional Japanese clothing, was held in Tokyo's Ginza district on October 19th.
The live photoshoot was part of "Hirokawa Tamae 'SOMARTA KIMONO COUTURE' Exhibition - Tradition and Innovation in New-Era Kimono," an exhibition by SOMARTA designer Hirokawa Tamae, held at the Tokyu Plaza Ginza Kiriko Lounge in October. The exhibition showcased Hirokawa's "KIMONO COUTURE," a new era of traditional Japanese clothing that combines digital technology with the traditional techniques of four companies: Senso, a Kyoto-based yuzen dyeing company with a 460-year history, Okaju, Wakoen, and Nishijin weaving company Hosoo. The exhibition showcased the theme of "beautiful makeup" by incorporating elements of makeup and flower arranging.
A live photo shoot took place on October 19th, and six models symbolizing modern Japanese beauty - Mannami Yuka, Fukushi Rina, KASUMI, YiRan, Suzuki Ami, and Shen Tanaka - were photographed in the streets of Ginza, Tokyo, wearing "KIMONO COUTURE," which was featured in the exhibition. Photographer and flower arranger Joichi Teshigahara arranged flowers inspired by the models wearing "KIMONO COUTURE," and Shiseido's top hair and makeup artist Hirofumi Keira completed the makeup with hair styling. Based on Hirokawa's concept of "KIMONO COUTURE is what it is when worn by modern women in the current Tokyo landscape," the six women were photographed on the streets of Ginza, and many people looked on in awe. Regarding the exhibition, Hirokawa said, "It has been said that if things continue as they are, it will no longer be possible to make kimonos in Japan in another 100 years. The industry has been shrinking, and each year more and more factories are closing. Ever since I was born, Japan has been a country where Western and Japanese cultures have mixed in a complex balance. Wearing Western clothing was the norm, while kimonos, a vestige of traditional Japanese clothing, were often worn on special occasions. In the past, kimonos were the fashion worn by all Japanese people. The shape of the kimono has evolved little by little over the years to suit the environment. I feel that fashion designers like me bear a great responsibility for the fact that this evolution has come to a halt in the modern era, leaving us with what we have today. After all, it is a designer's job to preserve culture and pass it on to the future, 100 to 200 years from now."
