Fashion Week has kicked-off in Tokyo. Up and coming Japanese designers hope to gain more recognition in the competitive fashion industry.
Fashion designers from across Japan gathered in Tokyo on Tuesday to display their 2010 autumn/winter collections at the 10th Japan Fashion Week.
One of the first designers to hit the catwalk this season was Kazuhiro Takakura, designer of men's fashion brand "IZREEL" (pron: Is-Real), displaying a "synchronicity" theme. The brand was launched in 2003.
Like many Japanese designers, Takakura realized the importance of Tokyo as a fashion hub and the advantage of being recognized there, so he decided to come back.
[Kazuhiro Takakura, Fashion Designer]: (Male, Japanese)
"Tokyo is definitely the harshest battleground for designers so you must come with a flawless design otherwise you cannot compete. So I really need to come up with an even more elaborate collection."
Eri Matsui, a Japan Fashion Week veteran, also unveiled her latest collection. Her latest collection titled "Mathematics, Art and Fashion" includes a line of asymmetrical dresses inspired by mathematical formulas and equations.
Tokyo is known for its trendy youth culture, brand obsessions and abundance of cutting-edge design talent. But it has long lagged behind Paris and New York when it comes to the local fashion industry and international recognition.
More than 40 brands are expected to be shown at the week-long show, and thousands of visitors are expected to attend the event.
