Runway for Japan hits Hawaii stage
By Nadine Kam
Nadine Kam photos
Japan designer Ryota Shiga presented his debut collection in Hawaii as part of Shiro Furukawa’s “Runway for Japan” Charity Fashion Project.
While many designers choose to start in their own back yards where they have a built-in support system, Japan designer Ryota Shiga is a student of the world, a 26-year-old who worked a year in Belgium, then Italy, before moving back to Fukushima. Even then, he didn’t take the usual designer’s path of putting out collections. Instead, he started entering international design competitions that took him from Germany to New Zealand, Singapore and Paris.
Everywhere he went, he was interested in knowing whether his vision would appeal to a global audience.
From the enthusiastic response to the designs he presented here Sept. 11, the answer would have to be yes.
Speaking to him after his “Runway for Japan” presentation, he said he’s inspired by traditional Japanese culture and kimono clothing, but said, “I want to make a new style of fashion for Japan.”
His aim is to build a national brand that can go international, and even though this was his first collection, it looked like the work of a seasoned designer. Very impressive.
A design from Ryota Shiga’s second fashion show tableau.
His garments had the flow, ample fit and ties associated with kimono, haori, hakama and cordage, which to Western eyes translated into liquid jackets, wide-legged pants and other beautiful draped pieces, shown with striking footwear that he also created. Unfortunately, those were only for show and not for production.
Although some of his dresses appeared to have been stitched from vintage kimono silk, he designed the fabric himself, with ink-jet prints of landscapes, flora and fauna. When I got up close to the pieces, I saw that dresses and jackets had metal stud button details that will allow wearers to change the flare and fullness of the garment and the shape of a collar. Very clever. The collection is set to hit boutiques in Japan in mid-October.
The show, directed by Shiro Furukawa, founder of “Runway for Japan,” a charity fashion project conceived to raise funds for East Japan Pacific Coast Earthquake relief, was divided into two tableau which had the models placed on stage before starting their walks. The second grouping featured striking furs, “maybe not for Hawaii,” the designer noted after the show, while collecting the furs off the models, who were posing for photos in 80-plus degree weather.
Considering his many travels, the designer said he enjoys being in Hawaii and is enthusiastic about returning to present more shows.
The show was followed by a fashion show of reworked “Hope for Japan” T-shirts, created by Honolulu Community College Fashion Technology students, who had only a week to prepare, a great real-world experience!
The shoes the designer created were fantastic, though unfortunately, they’re just for show, not for sale.
The designer with some of his models backstage.
Shiro Furukawa, in white jacket, founded Runway for Japan, a charity fashion project, to raise funds in the wake of the the East Japan Pacific Coast Earthquake in March. Let’s hope he brings more shows to Hawaii.
After the show, the designer was available for photographs, along with Shiro Furukawa and Claudia Vazquez, who provided the fashion show introduction. Everyone cooled off on the hot day with Waialua Sodas.
Posing for photographers on the red carpet.
A Hope for Japan kiosk will remain open for a year.
Sometime instructor Amos Kotomori’s design during the “Hope for Japan” show of reworked Hope for Japan T-shirts by Honolulu Community College Fashion Technology students, that followed Ryota Shiga’s show.
Fashion Tribe
