Asia Wysoczynska Exploring Space, Gender & Time

In a similar way to famous Polish astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), who explored the wonders and beauties of the universe, Polish designer Asia Wysoczynska is exploring the beauties and wonders of the human body.

Two years before graduating with honors from the International School of Costume and Fashion Design, Asia launched her eponymous label in Warsaw, in 2008.

Prior studies include the Psychology of Creativity and Art at Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

Asia’s most recent collection is “HEroSHE, The Warrior,” which narrates a story of hidden beauty and virtues.

Travelling through space, time, and gender, Asia draws her inspiration from the garments of the Samurai, alluding to the imperial dress of the Mikado or tennō—‘the Japanese Emperor’.

Items like the kataginu (bat wing vest) are combined with the hakama (skirt-like pants), creating the look of a kamishimo—the modern equivalent of a Samurai suit!

This 2010 autumn/winter collection is emotive in look , magnetic in feel, and energetic in style...just like its designer!



Photo & slideshow 2010 a/w collection “HEroSHE, The Warrior,” Copyright Asia Wysoczynska.

Masatomo: Samurai Warriors, Zombies & “Yamagata Scream”

The Taira clan was a major group of samurai warriors referred to as the ochimusha, who dominated the Japanese political scene between the 9th and 12th centuries. After a bitter defeat, however, the clan fled to remote regions in Japan where they set up small villages to inhabit.

Now, centuries later in a northern Japanese town named Yamagata, a businessman and high school girl inadvertently unearth one of the Taira graves, awakening the 800-year-old zombies of the ancient ochimusha!

If you are attracted to the cult of Japanese horror films, then you are in for a treat: “Yamagata Scream,” the first film of Japanese designer Rynshu Hashimoto since establishing his film production company in 2007: the Ma-Ji Amanasu Dream Co. Directed by Naoto Takenaka in collaboration with Sedic International, the film will be released this summer in Japan by Gaga Communications.

Rynshu Hashimoto was actually born Yamaji Masatomo in 1951. After studying fashion and design at Tama Art College in Tokyo, Yamaji founded the Maji-Creation design studio in 1986. Then in 1992, he renamed the company to its current label, Masatomo Inc., which Yamaji has since presented every season at Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

In 2001, Yamaji changed his name to Rynshu Hashimoto, and there is buzz on the internet that he will also rename his label to Rynshu in 2010. I am not an expert on Japanese traditions; but from what I understand, it is not uncommon in Japan to change names upon significant events in life.

Whether we catch a screening of “Yamagata Scream” or not, we are still in for a treat this autumn/winter season. As costume designer of the film, Rynshu Hashimoto has awakened the spirit of samurai films in his 2009 a/w collection, which is inspired by the ancient warriors’ armor. So, look out for those zombies on the runway!



Photo 1860's Samurai by Felice Beato, Public Domain at Wikipedia.
Slideshow 2009 a/w collection Copyright Masatomo.

Pitti Uomo’s 14 New Beats: Yoshiyuki Ogata

Japanese menswear designer, Yoshiyuki Ogata, numbered among the 14 new beats chosen by Pitti Uomo.

Although Yoshiyuki is not totally new on the international fashion scene, he is definitely a rising star, reaching the shelves of boutiques in London and Los Angeles.

Yoshiyuki derives his inspiration from the Sengoku era (1467-1617) in Japan—the Warring States Period—when Japanese men wore culotte-like trousers with sleeveless-sideless vests and broad sleeve coats.

Yoshiyuki also models his shoes after tabi, which were the socks that split, or divided, between the big toe and the four smaller ones.

Yoshiyuki’s claim to fame was his award-winning outfit that he designed for Japanese model, Kurara Chibana—first runner-up of Miss Universe 2006—who sported the best national costume, which Yoshiyuki fashioned in the samurai-ninja style.

Yoshiyuki’s aim in menswear is to establish the unique masculinity of the true Japanese.



Photo top right by Clngre, Public Domain at Wikipedia.
Slideshow 2009 s/s collection Copyright Yoshiyuki Corporation.