Asia Girls Explosion with YOSHIKI and JayF.R.

Binding music and fashion in a seamless display, YOSHIKI and JayF.R. whipped up "The Anger And The Sorrow Of Asia Trapped Inside The Small Aquarium" into an event to span the decades, empowering women and restructuring conventional design with the help of VIOLET UK and X JAPAN.

1940’s – 2010 Men’s

The clock reassumed its ticking and a countdown of roman numerals began with the numeral X.

The roman numeral X appeared on the screen as a countdown started. When it reached zero, an explosion announced the entrance of Marilyn Manson. The musician sauntered down the runway to the sound of “Obscene,” which embodied the nineteen-forties in an utterly dark, smooth, and sophisticated John Galliano ensemble. The knee-length jacket adorned with a long black scarf matched nicely cut trousers and contrasted sharply with Manson’s deadly pale face and a deep, layered white neck-chain suited for a fancy club. A black leather fedora rested on his head for a perfectly suited gangster look. Although Manson did his best to stay in character, working the catwalk like a real model and exhibiting his outfit like a pro, it didn’t take long for the infamous goth the world knows to show his true face. With the fans shouting and cheering as he strutted by, Manson slipped into unconventional rock poses, climaxing with a two-fingered gun-to-the-mouth as he reached the end of the runway.

The atmosphere relaxed considerably as forties and fifties fashion took the stage to the sound of Violet UK. The collection was inspired by Western proletarian style with predominantly pale, fading colors, yet many Asian influences popped out as subtle Japanese prints replaced old style European shirts on second glance. A brilliant example is the fifties style Hawaiian shirt heralding blue-green, traditional Japanese patterns instead of the traditional tropical flora.

Soon after, sixties and seventies street fashion took the runway with cleverly altered items revealing more Asian influences. While Tokyo Girls Collection focuses on brands, A.G.E.’s focus is clearly on style. Again, the working class took the stage. Yellowish jackets and dark blue kakis were accompanied by construction helmets and matching attire displaying Japanese characters: the misplaced words in black and red tape crying loudly over the light colors of helmet and clothes. Many typical and atypical stereotypes were present and the producers didn’t forget clothes inspired by the hippie generation. Plain denim adorned by raw brownish materials made up the jockey look (but with a modern hood to fend the rain) and even a hooded character that in many ways resembled the original Batman. Many martial arts designs took the stage such as the silk gi–traditional sportswear for karate–while gangster suits in punk and purples shades perfect for the musical Guys ‘n Dolls strolled down the walk.

For the eighties and nineties, the Asian influences became clearer and clearer with a Bruce Lee-inspired look of baggy balloon pants and matching long plain vests. Modern colorful patterns made the difference. Of course, let’s not forget the “prep” look in a chic blue and green tartan vests, or the tailored coats complete with a suspiciously school-uniform coat of arms. For the nineties, punk and rock influences were predominant, continuing throughout the millennium and twenty-ten fashion: rock’n’roll-checkered-pants accompanied by spiky hair and heavy metal accessories. Casual homey fashion with baggy gray sweats riding below the hot pink boxer line and even an interesting, glittery red beret with studded denim jacket were not overlooked. The Japanese stereotypes were a must with otaku rock, clad all in denim, leather fingerless gloves, and an Axel Rose-style bandana to finalize the look. There were also the more traditional otaku outfitted in a sad combination of shapes, stripes, knitted caps and a big bags (for all that manga). A gaudy, bright yellow leopard print jacket you might spot on an outing to Harajuku was spotted, too, alongside New York Yankees hats, and numerous rap and hip-hop influences.