Indie accessories Japan-style

Japan Fashion Week may be officially over, but the events are still winding down. LaForet Museum and SOEN magazine hosted the fifth edition of the white Creator’s Exhibition which opened on March 30. This three-day exhibition showcases mainly smaller labels and accessories, and some would say it’s a breath of fresh air after the high-minded atmosphere and overflowing crowds during fashion week proper.

Time Out Tokyo went to take a look at the exhibitors at this cosy event, with an eye to picking out who to check out next time you are in the market for a bag, jewellery, or shoes (with some clothes thrown in for good measure). Keep an eye out in the shops for these labels, who have something to unique to offer in the style department.

B by Aperire

If you’re looking for shoes that make a statement, then B by Aperire is the ticket. Creative Director Hiromi Tatsuta explained that because the line is styled upon what are billed as ‘stress free heels’, comfort is an important factor. The colourful and funky shoes are reminiscent of a mash-up between Vivienne Westwood’s cat-paw toe shapes, Balenciaga’s futuristic lego-like lines and soles, and miu miu’s banana heels. Think bright colours, lots of straps and tonnes of quirky shapes and inspiration taken from anime. Because the shoes are also distributed outside of Japan, there are larger sizes available, and vegan options are also on offer for those who want style without animal-derived materials.

Available at:
Rizzi B
LaForet Harajuku (Full details & map)
Telephone: (03)5772 5113

hansel

‘Each time she passes it was lace and eyeglasses’ is the catchphrase for the AW 10-11 line for hansel, designed by Singaporean designer Jo Soh. Soh uses the image of eyeglasses as a motif for her personal signature to this smart but sweet line of clothing, accessories and even original stationery and cards. The centrepiece of ths AW 10-11 is the knit wrap-dress made of a clever houndstooth check.

Available at:
Artifex Gallery
Address: Ebisu Mitsukoshi 2F, 4-20-7 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)6425 8652

Figue Sucrée

Jewelry designer Mayumi Aoki works in super-delicate, slim rings and barely-there gossamer chains, set off with tiny seeds of precious stones. ‘I wanted it to be like something out of a fairytale, like something found in a princess’s bedroom. I also wanted it to have an antique flavour, like something that might have been handed down from your grandmother,’ says Aoki of this season’s dreamlike jewellery. ‘My favourites are the ones with the rubies,’ she mentions of the floss-like bracelets and necklaces that look like they are sprinkled with red candy drops. The best part: despite the involved workmanship and gems including diamonds and sapphires, they don’t cost as much as you’d expect making them the kind of jewellery that a girl might like to get for herself.

Available at:
Website: www.figue-sucree.com/ (Japanese only)

NIS

Clean lines and simple concepts make this jewellery brand with an edge versatile enough to go with anything. The latest collection includes a line of rings that resemble something out of the Cracker Jack box, with simple gold-plated silver bands, and offset gemstones giving it a toy-like look, as well as a charming line of miniature stud earrings and necklaces in diamond, ruby, pearl, emerald and sapphire with the names of the stones spelled out in dainty cursive writing. Also from NIS is a collection of squared stud necklaces and rings, and an intriguing line of ‘damaged’ rings that look like they’ve had a chunk taken out to reveal gemstone chips inside.

helter skelter

helter skelter is a label that comes up more and more often, with styles based on pared-down lines juxtaposed with blousing and volume. Light materials give the aesthetic movement, and are anchored by styling that includes well-placed darts, pin-tucking, creative seams, and asymmetrical buttoning schemes. The collection on show at white was for summer 2010, and will hit stores in the next month or so. Look out for a subdued colour palette of ivory, beige and black with striped and polka dotted accents that mixes quiet looks with interesting details.

Available at:
Initial onetwelve
LaForet Harajuku (Full details & map)
Telephone: (03)5772 5113

Kusa Kanmuri

Traditional Japanese fabrics are famous for their thousands of patterns in infinite colour combinations. Though you might expect to mainly see them on kimono, Kusa Kanmuri has put them on light cotton-blend and wool scarves (for AW 10-11) in bright, modern colour combinations sure to add a splash of aji (flavour) to your outfit. The scarves come in rather generous sizes, making it a great way to add layering or volume to an outfit for a season when the weather can turn cool on a dime.

Available at:
Shinjuku Isetan (Full details & map)

Draw design creations

If you’re into leather jackets and looking for something a bit more engaging than the usual biker’s silhouette for AW 10-11, you might want to check out Draw design creations. Though the shapes aren’t way out there, there is indeed a lot of workmanship that has gone into these light leather pieces. With a slightly medieval twist (one reminded us of a 17th century jerkin), and small details like ruffles or buttons receiving thought, pieces for their upcoming collection will definitely draw the eye in rich browns, greens, greys and beiges. Look out for the jackets in leathers marbled to look like the endpapers of vintage books. In addition to jackets, there are also a handful of large, utilitarian bags on offer too.

Available at:
L.H.P.
Shibuya Parco Part 1 (Full details & map)
Telephone (03)5459 2817
Open: daily 10am-9pm
Website: www.uenoshokai.com/shops/lhp.html

otoäa

With the motto ‘Nostalgia Modern’, otoäa designer Koji Aoto creates modern classics with a clean and comfortable aesthetic. Look for simply shaped wool coats in colours like navy and grey with round inset pockets that add a touch of space-age glamour as it was in the 60s. Also in the line-up are soft cardigans and knit dresses, knit tops, and easy casuals.

Marvelets

Leather line Marvelets takes an earth-friendly approach by using vegetable dyes and recycled wool to make their slouchy bags and hand-hewn wallets. Designs tend toward the more natural with a well-worn look, lots of pockets, zippers and antiqued hardware. The shoulder bags with a triangular silhouette are particularly roomy but not obtrusive, making them a refreshing change from the more punk-flavoured slouchy bags that have been making the rounds elsewhere.

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・Find Tokyo’s trendiest labels
　The spots to shop for the hottest in young Japanese fashion design