Fashion Through a Japanese Cultural Lens

FRUiTS Magazine

I have always admired Japanese culture in every aspect, but as a fashion writer, I have the most love for their style. The creativity and uniqueness it communicates have inspired my own style. In Japan, fashion is used to challenge the norm of using style to fit into the social and cultural constructs we have created for ourselves. Instead of dressing in coordination with trends, many are hoping to stand out. Rei Kawakubo, a Japanese fashion designer, has heavily contributed to authentic Japanese fashion. Like many other designers in Japan, Kawakubo looks at fashion through the lens of the wabi-sabi idea, meaning finding beauty and acceptance in imperfections. So, instead of designing fashion to be aesthetic and widely socially accepted, she designs for authenticity. Her brand's look clearly contrasts what people believe to be normal or beautiful, which is the point. Kawakubo wants her designs to be worn in a way that allows people to self-express and make a statement, not to fit in with everyone else. She has created a brand that does not see fashion as any different from art, so her designs are widely unique. Japanese designers like Kawakubo have made a strong impact on the fashion industry by leading other designers around the world to adopt similar perspectives on fashion, not being about comfort, but about identity.