Back
Back
JAPAN. Vantan Tokyo
by Modem – Posted April 04 2011
© Modem

Creativity gives us power to change

What is the purpose of fashion, such a superficial matter? Well, it simply creates a frivolous diversion and makes people dream a little bit.

Our wish here is to pay a special tribute to the energy and action of Vantan Tokyo (pronounced like “vingt ans” in French), which accompanies its students and their dreams throughout the world.

This fashion and design school, run by Shunji Nagasawa, Hiromi Ishikawa and Yuji Ichikana, was founded 45 years ago. It has 10 000 students divided into 14 campuses throughout Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Well-known artistes such as Tago, Nude or Aguri Sagimori studied at this school.

The X-seed project makes sure the best elements get a chance to succeed thanks to unlimited access to the school’s premises and materials. In this way, they are able to produce their collections and make a name for themselves in society. Besides, project X gives students the unique opportunity to show in Japan as well as in Paris where it also organizes a cocktail party. During the Parisian fashion week in March 2011, Vantan Tokyo presented a collective of fashion and culinary designers for the third time in a row. They were gathered in the name of « Japanese futurism».

The purpose of the event, organized by Josiane Cristofoli (Cristofoli Press Paris), was to highlight the importance of international contacts and give Japanese students better visibility in the fashion/art world.

<sld(Vantan)|right> As if she had anticipated a threat to modern way of life, Ariki took inspiration from the darkness of (paradoxically) playful young people. Dummyhead Depaysemen bets on a boyish goth "rock-omantic" menswear. Kabuto by Mashahito Kaji, the one on the exhibition’s poster, designed flexible men hats, handmade in a traditional mould. Kabuto drew inspiration from the Samouraïs and borrowed their type of armour in order to work out his typical visual concepts.

The meaning of this brand combines the force of the Japanese Samurai with a traditional Japanese sense of the aesthetic. Loyalty, courage, goodwill, courtesy, honesty, honor, respect of morality and beauty are the values Kaji promotes in order to « make his work memorable ».

Okay, fashion makes people dream, but it also reminds us sometimes of a few important virtues. Hope is fueled by dreams that come true by dint of determination… Next season, the presented collections will nurture the hopes and dreams of a wounded country. The highly sought-after buyers will discover, thanks to Vantan’s selection, the possible arguments of a new world.

Florence Julienne ©modemonline

vantan.jp

© Modem