Yoshikimono

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

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Yoshiki 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

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Yoshikimono 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

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Yoshikimono'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

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The Yoshikimono 2020 collection featured kimono patterns with visual elements of the anime series Attack on Titan and the comic book Blood Red Dragon.[7]

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References

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Les mille facettes de Yoshiki". l'Opinion (in French). 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Japanese rocker's modern kimonos kick off fashion week in Tokyo". Reuters. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ a b c Wetherille, Kelly (2019-10-15). "Yoshikimono RTW Spring 2020". WWD. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  7. ^ a b "Highlights at Tokyo Fashion Week | Culture". Metropolis Magazine. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "BIG IN JAPAN | PASHION Magazine". Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  10. ^ "Les plus beaux kimonos Yoshikimono réunis à Tokyo". Vogue Paris (in French). Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  11. ^ "Kimono". Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  12. ^ "Kimono runway show lights up Tokyo fashion week". Reuters. 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "Kimonos get rock 'n' roll makeover at Japan fashion week". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Between traditions and modernity - YOSHIKIMONO strikes again during Rakuten Fashion Week". Tokyo Street Style. 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
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