In the 80's Japanese designers like Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons revolutionized the fashion world with their deconstructive creations that broke with the long history of European fashion design.

The present crop of young Japanese fashion designers in a way follow in their footsteps and in a way don't. They have no intention to mass produce and become super rich, but they are just as innovative and unwilling to follow the European forms. Fashion Designer Patrick Ryan, who with his Japanese wife Mami Yoshida, makes up Yab Yum, calls Tokyo "the best place for fashion in the world right now".

Young Japanese are interested and very knowledgeable about fashion and have in general given up following the latest trend. Being yourself and finding something uniquely different is what is all about.

Hiroaki Ohya's designs are, without doubt, totally unique. His 'Wizard of Jeanz' collection consists of books that turn into clothes when unfolded.

Shinichiro Arakawa does double duty with his Honda street clothes and unrelenting collections. His autumn 2001 collection is themed on 'idols', especially THE Japanese pop idol of the 80's: Seiko Matsuda. Millions of girls imitated her hair style and fashion. Mass culture recycled as individualism. It can't get much more bizarre than that.

Yab Yum's flag shop shows in exquisite symbolism what the current Tokyo fashion scene is all about. The shop is hidden away on a small side street of a small side street of a small side street (this is no typo!). Every customer able to find their shop feels they have found something that nobody else knows. They feel Yab Yum's clothes have been made just for them. No Polo shirt off a rack that could be anywhere in the world for these consumers.

Other designs to look out for: Maeda's 'Cosmic Wonder' is taking Paris by storm. He just celebrated his second season at the Paris Collection. Madonna is wild about his clothes. Jun Takahashi, creator of 'Undercover', represents the continuing trend of street fashion. Without doubt the most popular designer in Tokyo at the moment. He combines his popularity as a fashion designer with that as a DJ. Also Yoshiki Hishinuma, famous for unique textiles and Keita Maruyama who is able to inject a uniquely Japanese sentimental feminine quality in his clothes that makes Japanese women swoon. And don't forget Nigo, maker of the famous Ape shirts. Wherever you go in Tokyo, you see an ape.

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