Parisian Designs Vie With Kimono In Japan

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 2

Parisian Designs Vie With Kimono In Japan

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TOKYO. Japanese fashion designers and textile makers show an increasing interest in Southeast Asian countries as a prospective market. They try to blend Asian costumes with designs from Paris. Novel treatment has been giveh to the traditional Japanese kimono. The modified kimono has been a fashion stimulus to the west. This season, apparently influenced by Princess Michiko who wore the kimono for official occasions during her tour of the United States, the conventional kimono has come back as a party dress—but with a modern touch. Two or three contrasting colours are now used instead of many colours customary for the conventional kimono. A group of Japanese designers plans to hold a aeries of fashion shows in Asian countries next April or May with Western dresses, the Japanese kimono, and traditional or modified local costumes. all made from Japanese fabrics. About 10 Japanese fashion models are expected to tour Hong Kong, Manila, Bangtask, Singapore, and possibly India for one month. The plan was announced in a recent fashion show of the Nippon design Bunka Kyokai (NDK), one of the biggest design organisations in Japan. Charity Shows A few Japanese designers in the past participated in charity shows held in South-east Asia. Five Japanese fashion models were to visit Hong Kong to take part in a fashion show sponsored by Japanese and Hong Kong department stores in November The models were expected to exhibit a series of fashionable costumes from the Dior house of Paris. The NDK fashion show introduced Western dresses, the Japanese kimono and a few fashions modelled after Asian costumes. A white calMength coat was worn with a contrasting black fur stole and black silk kimono patterned with gold and silver brocaded chrysanthemums. The obi (sash) was of matching silver. Another gown had a handpainted pattern of Pompeii on the lower bodice of the kimono.

One model appeared in an elegant two-piece kimono. The only point peculiar to the conservative audience was that she was wearing a pair of shoes instead of “Zori” (footwear). She unhooked her narrow obi with its

Air Mail— Reuter}

fixed bow on the back and took off the upper part of the kimono within a minute she stood in a western-style evening dress. Working Girls Attracted A dozen fashion shows held this autumn ranged from exclusive parades tor higher society to those aimed at attracting working girls. They were inevitably influenced by Paris. Two or three-piece ensembles are paramount in this year’s fashions. Many of the coats are lined with brilliantly-coloured silk to match dresses, blouses or belts. A removable coat collar is another feature. Dior House creations for this autumn and winter were introduced at a department store here which had exclusive sale rights in Japan. "Softness, lightness, and life” are three keynotes of the collection, marked by classic lines, “downed” waists and short, lantern-shaped skirts. Black is a predominant colour. “Knitted-style” collars, an Invention of Yves Saint-Laurent, are adapted for several two-piece dresses. Another department store introduced the “Pierre Cardin Jeunesse” made of Japanese fabrics. Yet another featured a collection of the maggy rouf. Japanese designers took to the fluid and unadorned silhouette, with large collars and free-flowing coats. Pencil slim skirts are straight and short. Hems strain to reach the mid-knee cap mark. Heavy costume jewellery accentuated collar-less dresses.

One designer said: "We must learn the mode from France. But Japan could be a blending point of Western and Asian costumes.”