Talk event – Defining Japanese Fashion: From Meisen Kimono to Issey Miyake

Japan has fabricated a unique and distinctive fashion culture. In recent years, subcultures like Gothic Lolita (“Goth-loli”) and avant-garde fashion designs, such as those by Comme des Garçons, have had a significant impact on global fashion. Why has Japan developed such a unique fashion culture? How is contemporary Japanese fashion connected to Japan’s past?

In this talk, Professor NARUMI Hiroshi will explore the evolution of fashion in Japan during the country’s 20th-century modernisation. Through key trends such as the Taisho-era Meisen kimono, the rise of the Modern Girl, the westernisation of Japanese clothing, and post-war youth fashion, he will discuss how Japanese fashion reflects the nation’s changing identity, offering a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between clothing and culture.

This event is now fully booked; tickets are returns only.
Click here to join the waitlist on the Japan Society website.