Yoshikimono is a kimono fashion brand created by Japanese rock musician Yoshiki. After its debut at Asia Girls Explosion in 2011, the brand has been featured as a headliner presentation at Tokyo Fashion Week including the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo 2016, Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo 2017, and Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo 2020, receiving critical acclaim for its modern approach to Japan's traditional garment.
History
editYoshiki debuted the fashion brand on March 6, 2011, at Asia Girls Explosion at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. The event was co-produced by Yoshiki and featured Marilyn Manson as a runway model.[1] Yoshiki created the fashion brand to pay tribute to his parents who ran a kimono shop when he was growing up. "I've always adored fashion. If I didn't become a rock star, I would've taken over the family business which made very traditional kimonos. If I break certain rules, it's done with a positive approach. If I desacralize the kimono, it's so that it doesn't fall into oblivion."[2]
On October 17, 2015, Yoshikimono was the closing presentation of Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Fashion Week 2016.[3] One year later, Yoshikimono opened Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo 2017 S/S on October 17, 2016.[4][5] On October 14, 2019, Yoshikimono was featured as the opening presentation of Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week 2020 S/S at Shibuya Hikarie.[6][7]
In January 2020, Marie Kondo wore Yoshikimono for the cover of Numero Tokyo magazine.[8] In February, Yoshikimono was announced as part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's "Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk" exhibition in London.[9] In June 2020, Yoshikimono was featured in the Tokyo National Museum's "Kimono" historical retrospective.[10] In November 2022, Yoshikimono was featured in the touring version of the V&A's exhibition presented at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris.[11]
Critical reception
editYoshikimono has received positive reviews based on the brand's non-traditional approach to kimono. Reuters said that Yoshikimono put "a modern twist on the traditional Japanese garment."[12] Vogue Japan highlighted the brand's "gorgeous style" and "rock spirit",[13] and WWD called Yoshikimono's 2020 collection "innovative" and "sexy".[6]
Theatrical presentation
editYoshikimono's presentations are produced with "plenty of drama and a higher production value than is typical" for fashion events.[6] Yoshiki played piano with a model posing erotically on top of his signature glass piano for Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Fashion Week 2016[14] and performed a drum solo under pouring rain on the runway for Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo 2017.[15] For Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week S/S 2020, Yoshiki bathed the runway in falling rose petals.[16]
Pop culture references
editThe Yoshikimono 2020 collection featured kimono patterns with visual elements of the anime series Attack on Titan and the comic book Blood Red Dragon.[7]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ "X JAPAN's Yoshiki Has MARILYN MANSON Walk The Runway At His Asia Girls Explosion Fashion Event In Tokyo". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "Les mille facettes de Yoshiki". l'Opinion (in French). 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
- ^ Janette, Misha (2015-10-24). "Tokyo fashion week: womenswear gets a welcome jolt of energy". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "Japanese rocker's modern kimonos kick off fashion week in Tokyo". Reuters. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "Breaking: Yoshiki of X Japan to open Amazon Tokyo Fashion Week Spring 2017 — Style Wylde Magazine - International Runway Fashion-Designer Interviews-Street Style". Style Wylde Magazine. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ a b c Wetherille, Kelly (2019-10-15). "Yoshikimono RTW Spring 2020". WWD. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ a b "Highlights at Tokyo Fashion Week | Culture". Metropolis Magazine. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "Numéro TOKYO on Instagram: Numéro TOKYO March Special No.134 The Good Life; Cover: Rola, Marie Kondo wearing Urai (Rola), Yoshikimono (Marie Kondo) by Akinori Ito for @numerotokyo". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- ^ "BIG IN JAPAN | PASHION Magazine". Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^ "Les plus beaux kimonos Yoshikimono réunis à Tokyo". Vogue Paris (in French). Retrieved 2020-07-20.
- ^ "Kimono". Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ^ "Kimono runway show lights up Tokyo fashion week". Reuters. 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "YOSHIKIが手がける着物ブランド「YOSHIKIMONO」で東コレ開幕！【コレクション速報・東京】". VOGUE JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "Kimonos get rock 'n' roll makeover at Japan fashion week". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ Janette, Misha (2016-10-29). "Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo: Womenswear collections shake up the system". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ "Between traditions and modernity - YOSHIKIMONO strikes again during Rakuten Fashion Week". Tokyo Street Style. 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2020-01-20.