Tokyo kicks off a week long fashion extravaganza with the spotlight on home-grown, up-and-coming designers. Let's look in on Tokyo Fashion Week.
One of the first designers to hit the runway was Mikio Sakabe. He's is one of many Japanese designers seeking a new platform in Tokyo after spending several years gaining fashion experience in Europe.
He and Taiwan co-designer Shueh Jen-Fang have built their brand with roots in Tokyo's futuristic pop culture in Tokyo. The collection was introduced earlier at fashion weeks in Paris and Milan. The international fashion community has applauded the collection's distinctive designs.
The partnerships latest collection, on a summer-resort theme, includes a line-up of women's wear augmented nylons and woven cellophane fabrics.
Eri Utsugi, a Tokyo native and veteran designer at fashion week, also introduced her latest collection under the brand name "Mercibeaucoup".
Utsugi started her own label three years ago. It's now grown to become one of Japan's most popular brands. At the show, her models strode down the runway - dressed in colorful multi-layered clothing with polka dot head pieces.
Utsugi's idea of flowing water also shone through in the models' makeup. Their faces were highlighted with rain and tear drop appliques
Japan Fashion Week will reveal new collections from more than forty brands. Among them are ten newcomers, who were invited to show after being carefully selected.