Big in Japan
As sales are taking place all over town to get rid of the Spring/Summer collections, stocks for the upcoming Autumn/Winter collections are slowly trickling in. Some of the coolest sample pieces I’ve managed to get my hands on are those from the Japs: The latest collection by Ganryu, Comme des Garçons’ offshoot line headed by pattern maker Fumito Ganryu, who is ditching the pared down style of his S/S collection for reworks of patchwork materials and check prints reminiscent of Comme’s main collections with a utilitarian twist, with clashing patterns that actually work for once (pictured); newish cult Jap label Facetasm by Hiromichi Ochiai, whose A/W collection also leans towards reinterpretations of checks (now you know what’s gonna be HUGE for A/W); and the limited edition Pierre Hardy Discorama shoes, which draw their influence from the heydays of Studio 54 mixed with Tokyo’s punk culture for that added edge. Ganryu and Facetasm will be available at Club 21b at Forum The Shopping Mall and the Discorama dancing shoes at Club 21 Men at Four Seasons Hotel, from August.
Pause for a Cause
While we’re on the subject of Japan: Those with $50 to spare (I’m pretty sure most of you do), go get yourself a basic special-edition Japan Relief Charity A/X T-shirt from any A/X outlet (try #B1-03 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6304-1369). This might be one of the last relief efforts in aid of Japan’s Tsunami disaster aftermath, with $30 (quite a decent sum, really) from every tee sold going straight to the Singapore Red Cross, which will be channeling the money directly to Japan. Plus, you get a more than decent tee into the bargain. How’s that for doing good?
Nordic Nuances
Known for their wide range of Scandinavian fashion labels, Style: Nordic (G/F Delfi Orchard, 402 Orchard Rd., 6737-1508) has also just announced the arrival of new brands. They include The Local Firm, which combines high fashion attire with innovative denim designs and Diana Orving, a womenswear label with silhouettes inspired by art and dance movements, so expect flowy and easy to wear pieces with an emphasis on cuts and textures.
