Top 12 Best Japanese Fashion Brands
There are many great Japanese fashion brands that have gained popularity both in Japan and around the world. Here are some of the best Japanese fashion brands.... read more...
-
Issey Miyake is a Japanese fashion designer who founded his eponymous label, Issey Miyake, in 1970. He is known for his innovative use of materials and technology in fashion design, particularly with the use of pleating techniques that he developed in the 1980s.
Miyake studied graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo and later worked for the fashion designer Guy Laroche in Paris. In 1970, he founded his own fashion label in Tokyo, which quickly gained recognition for its innovative designs.
One of Miyake's most famous innovations is the "Pleats Please" line, which features clothing made from pleated polyester fabric that is lightweight, durable, and easy to care for. Miyake also collaborated with computer scientists and engineers to create fabrics that could be molded into three-dimensional shapes without the need for sewing.
In addition to his fashion design work, Miyake has also been involved in product design, including designing furniture, lighting, and household objects. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Design Plus Award, the Fashion Group International Award, and the Prince Eugen Medal for Artistic Achievement.
Founded: 1970
Founder: Issey Miyake
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isseymiyakeofficial/
Website: https://www.isseymiyake.com/#section0
-
Comme des Garçons is one of the best Japanese fashion brands, founded by Rei Kawakubo in Tokyo in 1969. The name means "like boys" in French, and the brand is known for its avant-garde designs that challenge traditional ideas about fashion.
Kawakubo started out as a freelance stylist before opening her first boutique in Tokyo in 1969. Her early designs were inspired by the anti-fashion movement of the 1970s and featured oversized, deconstructed garments with unusual shapes and proportions.
Comme des Garçons became known for its unconventional designs and quickly gained a following among avant-garde fashion enthusiasts. The brand expanded to Paris in the 1980s and began showing its collections during Paris Fashion Week, where it continues to be a mainstay.
In addition to its fashion lines for men and women,halso has a number of sub-brands, including Play, which features the brand's signature heart logo, and Wallet, which produces a range of leather goods.
Kawakubo has been recognized for her contributions to fashion with numerous awards, including the Order of Culture from the Japanese government and the CFDA International Award. She is also the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Founded: 1969
Founder: Rei Kawakubo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commedesgarcons/
Website: https://www.comme-des-garcons.com/ -
SACAI is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Chitose Abe in 1999. The brand is known for its hybrid designs that combine contrasting elements and textures, such as leather with lace or denim with chiffon.
Abe began her career working for Comme des Garçons, where she eventually became the head designer of the women's collection. She launched SACAI as a menswear brand in 1999, but later expanded to include womenswear.
SACAI has gained a reputation for its innovative designs, which often feature unexpected combinations of materials and techniques. For example, the brand's signature "hybrid" jackets combine multiple jackets into a single garment, featuring different textures and materials in each section.
SACAI has collaborated with a number of brands and designers over the years, including Nike, The North Face, and Vans. The brand has also won several awards, including the Vogue Fashion Fund Award and the Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix.
SACAI has become a favorite of fashion insiders and celebrities alike, with fans including Kanye West, Rihanna, and Victoria Beckham.
Founded: 1999
Founder: Chitose Abeg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacaiofficial/
Website: https://www.sacai.jp/en-vn/
-
Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese fashion designer known for his avant-garde designs and unique approach to fashion. He launched his eponymous label in Tokyo in 1972 and has since become one of the most influential designers of his generation.
Yamamoto's designs often feature asymmetrical silhouettes, unusual draping techniques, and a monochromatic color palette. He is known for his use of high-quality fabrics and his attention to detail, and his designs often incorporate traditional Japanese elements such as kimono sleeves or obi belts.
Yamamoto has collaborated with a number of brands and designers over the years, including Adidas, Hermès, and Mikimoto. He has also designed costumes for films, including The Last Emperor and Blade Runner.
In addition to his work in fashion, Yamamoto is also a committed anti-war activist and has spoken out on a variety of political and social issues. He has been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to fashion, including the Order of Culture from the Japanese government and the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government.
Founded: 1972
Founder: Yamamoto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yohjiyamamotoofficial/?hl=vi
Website: https://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/ -
A Bathing Ape, also known as BAPE, is one of the best Japanese fashion brands founded by Nigo in 1993. The brand is known for its bold graphic designs and use of camouflage patterns, and has become a favorite of hip-hop artists and streetwear enthusiasts.
BAPE started out as a small boutique in Tokyo, selling t-shirts and other casual wear. The brand gained a following among fashion-conscious young people in Japan and later expanded to other countries, opening stores in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
BAPE's signature design features a stylized ape head, which appears on many of the brand's products. The brand is also known for its use of camo patterns, which appear on everything from t-shirts to sneakers to backpacks.
BAPE has collaborated with a number of brands and designers over the years, including Nike, Adidas, and Stussy. The brand has also collaborated with a number of musicians and celebrities, including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Kid Cudi.
Despite its popularity, BAPE has remained committed to its roots in streetwear and hip-hop culture. The brand continues to release new collections each season, featuring bold graphics, innovative designs, and unexpected collaborations.
Founded: 1993
Founder: Nigo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bape_us/
Website: https://row.bape.com/
-
NOIR Kei Ninomiya is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Kei Ninomiya in 2012. Ninomiya worked as a patternmaker at Comme des Garçons before launching his own label, and his designs are characterized by their intricate construction and use of unconventional materials.
NOIR Kei Ninomiya's collections often feature all-black looks with a focus on texture, shape, and detail. Ninomiya is known for his use of unusual materials such as metal, chains, and plastic, as well as his intricate weaving and braiding techniques.
Ninomiya's designs have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated following in the fashion industry. He has been recognized with several awards, including the LVMH Special Prize in 2014 and the Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix in 2018.
NOIR Kei Ninomiya has collaborated with a number of brands and designers, including Moncler and Sacai. The brand's collections are sold at high-end retailers around the world, including Dover Street Market, Barneys New York, and Selfridges.
Founded: 2012
Founder: Kei Ninomiya
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noirkeininomiya/
Website: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/designer/noir-kei-ninomiya -
VISVIM is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Hiroki Nakamura in 2000. The brand is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements.
VISVIM's collections often feature a mix of Japanese and Native American influences, with a focus on natural materials such as denim, leather, and hand-woven textiles. Nakamura is known for his attention to detail and his use of traditional techniques, such as hand-dyeing and hand-stitching.
VISVIM has gained a following among fashion insiders and celebrities, and the brand's products are sold at high-end retailers around the world. The brand has collaborated with a number of other brands and designers, including Moncler, Mastermind Japan, and Comme des Garçons.
In addition to its clothing and accessories collections, VISVIM has also ventured into other areas such as furniture and art. The brand operates a concept store in Tokyo called FIL (Free International Laboratory), which features a curated selection of products from around the world.
Founded: 2000
Founder: Hiroki Nakamura
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visvimwmv/
Website: https://shop.visvim.com/
-
AMBUSH is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer couple Yoon Ahn and Verbal in 2008. The brand is known for its bold, avant-garde designs that often feature oversized proportions, bright colors, and unexpected materials.
AMBUSH started out as a jewelry brand, with Yoon designing unique pieces that quickly gained a following among fashion insiders. The brand later expanded into clothing and accessories, with a focus on streetwear and pop culture influences.
AMBUSH collections often feature a mix of traditional Japanese elements and Western streetwear aesthetics, with a focus on graphic prints, oversized silhouettes, and unusual textures. The brand has collaborated with a number of other brands and designers, including Nike, Converse, and Bvlgari.
In addition to her work at AMBUSH, Yoon is also the jewelry designer for Dior Men's, while Verbal is a rapper and music producer. The couple is known for their creative collaborations and innovative approach to fashion, and their designs have earned them a dedicated following in the fashion industry.
Founded: 2008
Founders: Yoon Ahn and Verbal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrfKA6xNR81/
Website: https://www.ambushdesign.com/en-vn/ -
UNDERCOVER is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Jun Takahashi in 1994. The brand is known for its avant-garde designs that blend elements of punk and streetwear with high fashion.
UNDERCOVER's collections often feature bold graphic prints, oversized silhouettes, and unexpected details such as safety pins, chains, and studs. Takahashi is known for his innovative use of materials and his attention to detail, often incorporating intricate embroidery and fabric treatments into his designs.
UNDERCOVER has collaborated with a number of brands and designers over the years, including Nike, Uniqlo, and Supreme. The brand has also shown its collections at Paris Fashion Week since 2002, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated following in the fashion industry.
In addition to his work at UNDERCOVER, Takahashi is also a member of the music group Thee Michelle Gun Elephant and has collaborated with a number of musicians and artists over the years.hFounded: 1994
Founder: Jun Takahashi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercover_lab/
Website: https://store.undercoverism.com/
-
Toga is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Yasuko Furuta in 1997. The brand is known for its avant-garde designs that blend elements of traditional Japanese clothing with Western fashion.
Toga's collections often feature unexpected combinations of textures, patterns, and materials, with a focus on bold graphic prints and intricate details such as embroidery and beading. Furuta is known for her innovative use of fabrics and her ability to create striking silhouettes that push the boundaries of conventional fashion.
Toga has collaborated with a number of brands and designers over the years, including Opening Ceremony, Porter, and Anteprima. The brand's collections are sold at high-end retailers around the world, including Barneys New York, Selfridges, and Lane Crawford.
In addition to her work at Toga, Furuta is also the creative director for the menswear brand Sise and has collaborated with a number of other artists and designers over the years. She is known for her unique vision and her ability to blend different cultural influences into her designs.Founded: 1994
Founder: Jun Takahashi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togaarchives/
Website: https://www.toga.jp/
-
UNIQLO is a Japanese fashion brand founded in 1984 by Tadashi Yanai. The brand is known for its high-quality, affordable clothing, with a focus on simple, functional designs that are easy to wear and care for.
UNIQLO's collections often feature a range of basic wardrobe staples, such as T-shirts, jeans, and sweaters, as well as more fashion-forward pieces that incorporate current trends. The brand is also known for its collaborations with other designers and brands, including collaborations with J.W. Anderson, Ines de la Fressange, and Alexander Wang.
UNIQLO has a strong focus on sustainability and ethical production, with a commitment to reducing waste and using environmentally friendly materials. The brand's products are sold at over 2,000 stores in more than 20 countries around the world, as well as online.
In addition to its clothing lines, UNIQLO is also known for its innovative technology and product development, including its Heattech and Airism fabrics, which provide warmth and breathability, respectively. The brand is dedicated to creating high-quality, functional clothing that is accessible to everyone.
Founded: 1984
Founder: Tadashi Yanai
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniqlo/
Website: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/ -
NEIGHBORHOOD is a Japanese streetwear brand founded by designer Shinsuke Takizawa in 1994. The brand is known for its rugged, military-inspired designs and its focus on high-quality materials and construction.
NEIGHBORHOOD's collections often feature a mix of vintage and contemporary styles, with a focus on denim, leather, and other high-quality fabrics. Takizawa is known for his attention to detail and his use of traditional techniques, such as hand-stitching and hand-dyeing.
NEIGHBORHOOD has collaborated with a number of other brands and designers over the years, including Adidas, Levi's, and Converse. The brand's products are sold at high-end retailers around the world, including Dover Street Market, SSENSE, and END.
In addition to his work at NEIGHBORHOOD, Takizawa is also the creative director of the motorcycle-inspired brand, C.E. He is known for his passion for motorcycles and his ability to incorporate elements of biker culture into his designs.
Founded: 1994
Founder: Shinsuke Takizawa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborhood_official/
Website: https://www.neighborhood.jp/