Issey Miyake - Fashion Technology

Born on April 22, 1938 in Hiroshima, Japan, designer Issey Miyake is known for creating an eclectic mix of Eastern culture and the textile technology of the West. This blend stems from his early exposure to the Western culture during the World War II American occupation in Japan, when he was just aged 10. He is noted to be one of the most innovative fashion designers and the first Asian to be renowned globally as such.

He studied and majored in graphic design at the Tama Art University in Tokyo. As a student he was influenced by Richard Avendon, Hiro and Andy Warhol. He moved to Paris in 1964 where he learned haute couture by working as a design assistant for Guy Laroche and Givenchy. He moved to New York and created designs for Geoffrey Beene, until he finally returned to Tokyo in 1970 where he founded the Miyake Design Studio. He started to incorporate designs with Japanese elements, such as the kimono and sashiko coat.

In 1978, he published a book called "East Meets West" - a picturesque collection of his greatest designs. A year after, he opened a company in France, followed by another in the States in 1982. In the late 80s, Miyake tried to experiment with a technique that would let fabrics stay permanently pleated yet allow flexibility for the consumer. This turns out to be one of the most popular lines of Miyake's and is aptly named "Pleats Please". He collaborated with ballet productions such as "The Loss of Small Detail" and "Garden in the Setting" for the costumes. He also launched another popular line, A-POC (A Piece of Cloth), which showcases single, ready-to-wear clothes.

In 1992, Miyake's first fragrance, L'eau d'Issey (French for Issey's water) for women was launched. It was succeeded by L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme (for men) in 1994. In 1999 he temporarily turned over his collection to work associate Naoki Takizawa to re-focus on research. In 2004 he introduced yet another perfume, L'eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme, but production was recently cut off because of low sales.

Miyake received numerous recognitions for his creative ingenuity. In 2001 he was awarded by Toronto for being a world leader in innovative fashion. Then, he won the Arts and Philosophy Prize in Kyoto in 2006. He was also featured in an exhibit hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London entitled "What is Radical Fashion".

Today, Issey Miyake has yet another new line of fragrance in the market, L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense and has several stores in Tokyo, Paris, London and New York, where his flagship store in Tribeca showcases his complete collection. Aside from clothing and perfume, his label also features hosiery and home furnishings, a proof that Issey Miyake does not limit himself to the niche of a fashion designer, but also lends himself to life and art.

Issey Miyake - Fashion Technology

Born on April 22, 1938 in Hiroshima, Japan, designer Issey Miyake is known for creating an eclectic mix of Eastern culture and the textile technology of the West. This blend stems from his early exposure to the Western culture during the World War II American occupation in Japan, when he was just aged 10. He is noted to be one of the most innovative fashion designers and the first Asian to be renowned globally as such.

He studied and majored in graphic design at the Tama Art University in Tokyo. As a student he was influenced by Richard Avendon, Hiro and Andy Warhol. He moved to Paris in 1964 where he learned haute couture by working as a design assistant for Guy Laroche and Givenchy. He moved to New York and created designs for Geoffrey Beene, until he finally returned to Tokyo in 1970 where he founded the Miyake Design Studio. He started to incorporate designs with Japanese elements, such as the kimono and sashiko coat.

In 1978, he published a book called "East Meets West" - a picturesque collection of his greatest designs. A year after, he opened a company in France, followed by another in the States in 1982. In the late 80s, Miyake tried to experiment with a technique that would let fabrics stay permanently pleated yet allow flexibility for the consumer. This turns out to be one of the most popular lines of Miyake's and is aptly named "Pleats Please". He collaborated with ballet productions such as "The Loss of Small Detail" and "Garden in the Setting" for the costumes. He also launched another popular line, A-POC (A Piece of Cloth), which showcases single, ready-to-wear clothes.

In 1992, Miyake's first fragrance, L'eau d'Issey (French for Issey's water) for women was launched. It was succeeded by L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme (for men) in 1994. In 1999 he temporarily turned over his collection to work associate Naoki Takizawa to re-focus on research. In 2004 he introduced yet another perfume, L'eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme, but production was recently cut off because of low sales.

Miyake received numerous recognitions for his creative ingenuity. In 2001 he was awarded by Toronto for being a world leader in innovative fashion. Then, he won the Arts and Philosophy Prize in Kyoto in 2006. He was also featured in an exhibit hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London entitled "What is Radical Fashion".

Today, Issey Miyake has yet another new line of fragrance in the market, L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense and has several stores in Tokyo, Paris, London and New York, where his flagship store in Tribeca showcases his complete collection. Aside from clothing and perfume, his label also features hosiery and home furnishings, a proof that Issey Miyake does not limit himself to the niche of a fashion designer, but also lends himself to life and art.

La vie en rose

La vie en rose 1st Sept. 2009
ph: Frauke Fischer
Model: Luisa Bianchin

Tilly

Height: 5'9" (177 cm)
Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue/Green

Fiona

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Hair: Red
Eyes: Brown

Photo Credits: Heffner Management

Polaroids of the Day

Best Baby Clothes

Buying baby clothes can be so much fun with loads of choice and so many wonderful and cute outfits. When you are starting out it is so easy to get distracted from what your baby needs and start buying baby clothes just on how they look.

For a newborn the rule is easy, keep your baby clothes simple. Avoid complicated baby clothes with lots of buttons, difficult clasps and little bows. Don’t buy newborn babies clothes with looks in mind, keep to comfortable and practical. Look for clothes that have been designed for ease of use, baby clothes with envelope necks that stretch and little stretch suits with easy fastenings up the legs.

With baby clothes think about comfort and warmth. ‘All in one’ body suits that fasten between your babies legs are brilliant for helping keep your baby warm.

It’s natural for you want your baby girl to look pretty in her clothes and buying cute little dresses is an obvious way to go but not what is best for your baby. Dresses just aren’t a practical item of clothing, they easily ride up your baby’s body leaving her cold, exposed and uncomfortable and when your baby starts to crawl, a dress will just get in the way. Keep to the rule, buy your baby clothes with comfort and practicality in mind and keep the cute dress for special occasions.

As your baby grows the type of baby clothes you buy will need to change. Body and stretch suits are fine before your baby starts to crawl but from three months you want to start thinking about little colourful romper suits (basically stretchsuits without feet) and dungarees. As your baby grows and embarks on each new stage of their life the type of baby clothes you buy need to change so that your baby is dressed in clothes fit for the job.

When you are buying baby clothes keep weather in mind. When it’s warm go for cool and comfortable cottons and don’t forget a sun hat for when you are out and about. In cooler weather clothes made of natural fabrics will help keep your baby warm.

Your baby won’t need proper shoes until his is starting to walk but making sure all-in-one suits, socks and bootees aren’t constricting your baby’s toes is very important. Regularly check that your baby always has enough room in his clothes to wriggle his toes.

Best Baby Clothes

Buying baby clothes can be so much fun with loads of choice and so many wonderful and cute outfits. When you are starting out it is so easy to get distracted from what your baby needs and start buying baby clothes just on how they look.

For a newborn the rule is easy, keep your baby clothes simple. Avoid complicated baby clothes with lots of buttons, difficult clasps and little bows. Don’t buy newborn babies clothes with looks in mind, keep to comfortable and practical. Look for clothes that have been designed for ease of use, baby clothes with envelope necks that stretch and little stretch suits with easy fastenings up the legs.

With baby clothes think about comfort and warmth. ‘All in one’ body suits that fasten between your babies legs are brilliant for helping keep your baby warm.

It’s natural for you want your baby girl to look pretty in her clothes and buying cute little dresses is an obvious way to go but not what is best for your baby. Dresses just aren’t a practical item of clothing, they easily ride up your baby’s body leaving her cold, exposed and uncomfortable and when your baby starts to crawl, a dress will just get in the way. Keep to the rule, buy your baby clothes with comfort and practicality in mind and keep the cute dress for special occasions.

As your baby grows the type of baby clothes you buy will need to change. Body and stretch suits are fine before your baby starts to crawl but from three months you want to start thinking about little colourful romper suits (basically stretchsuits without feet) and dungarees. As your baby grows and embarks on each new stage of their life the type of baby clothes you buy need to change so that your baby is dressed in clothes fit for the job.

When you are buying baby clothes keep weather in mind. When it’s warm go for cool and comfortable cottons and don’t forget a sun hat for when you are out and about. In cooler weather clothes made of natural fabrics will help keep your baby warm.

Your baby won’t need proper shoes until his is starting to walk but making sure all-in-one suits, socks and bootees aren’t constricting your baby’s toes is very important. Regularly check that your baby always has enough room in his clothes to wriggle his toes.

Lush Magazine

Polaroids of the Day

Georgia Steed

Height: 5'9" 1.75 cm
Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue

Showcards for Spring/Summer 2010 pt 1

Today officially starts the beginning of Spring/Summer 2010. Well at least for me it does. The model showcards officially debuted on the web today. The first two models showcased are Holland Stevens and Elise Helene Gatschene.

Redheads at the pool

Redheads at the pool; a photo series by Emma Hardy
Photos from eastphotographic.com
Models: Unknown