Untitled Musings of A Japan/New York Transplant

With news about hurricanes and elections (both here and in Japan), it is easy to forget that it is Fashion Week in New York, Japan and now London. With our world becoming more localized than it ever has been before, it is increasingly hard to make an impact. There are the tradeshows like the ones by Roomservice that promote little-known designers both street and high-end from all over the world. This week in NYC we have The Train, where popular brands like Black Label share a space with less prolific names like Sheila Elaine and La Chica Chic. Christine Valdez's design has recently won awards for the 'Sophie' bag, which is in step with the "greening" of the fashion industry. "Greening" is the new buzzword here in the States, where everything (even political conventions and associations) are taking the step into environmentally-conscious activities. My important concern is where "greening" meets "cruelty-free" and "conflict-free" labor. Our dealings with other countries have their prices and repercussions, always.

An article I scrounged up on Roomservice has a very important message about consciousness of the Asian world of fashion, and how Japan must step up to the task of defining itself, particularly in textiles. In both English and Japanese.

With the models on the runway for the likes of Diane Von Furstenberg and Anna Sui here in New York, we are seeing the trend of body types (and body shades) changing to meet the globalization movement. And yet, the Black Issue of Italian Vogue looks so foreign, and so far off for many countries. Even Japan. Will we ever see a CanCam or a Japanese Harper's Bazaar with all Japanese models, and no Western faces? I am surprised that no designer, stylist, or photographer sees the need. I saw it all the time. On the trains, on the commercials, and on billboards. I often speak out about how people of my own race are represented in the fashion world (or, how they are not represented)...I want young Japanese women to feel that same empowerment I feel when I see Alek Wek, or Iman, or Tocarra.

I wrote a piece once for Metropolis about fashion and politics in Japan. Now that Ms. Koike has come onto center stage again in the Japanese Parliament, I wonder if other Japanese writers (or foreign writers in Japan) will examine the styles that she wears in public appearances. Certainly this has become commonplace in the US and even the UK for their political leaders. What you wear represents the kind of person you are. And much of what Ms. Koike will have to use to garner support is character, despite her experience in the LDP. Will my article be revisited? I am not sure I would like it to be. Especially for Sarah Palin: Everyone here is going crazy for her glasses, and her hair. I don't see the originality. Her style is Tina Fey, circa 2004.

Obviously, this is not a political site. This is not a culture awareness, or social commentary site. It's a fashion site. But every once in a while, it is interesting-and worth the time-to sit back and observe the different driving forces behind what we buy, when we buy, where we buy, and how that will all inevitably change.