LFW: Japanese designers put up a brave face

The timing couldn't have been worse. Hours after their homes and cities were ravaged by the tsunami, three Japanese designers: Motonari Ono, Tamae Hirokawa and Sara Arai presented their clothes at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

This is the first time any Japanese designer has presented their work on the Lakme Fashion Week ramp. Their combined show was titled Tokyoeye.

Motonari Ono's collection started with earthy shades that coincidentally and heartbreakingly reflect the pensive mood that prevails in the country today.

Ono can be extremely strong on details, and he certainly did not bow here. He experimented with the entire spectrum of silhouettes, which ranged from flounce to structured.

The collection moved from the earthy shades to the mustard ones. Here, one saw a hint of Ono's trademark black gloves.

The gloves were more prominent in the last of the three phases of the show, as the collection turned graver than ever. It turned all-black.

The ever-shy Ono takes a bow. Later at the press conference, he said he didn't speak English. But he did say he was overwhelmed by the amount of media persons around in India!

Somarta, by Tamae Hirokawa, best known for the 'second skin' series, had some interesting silhouettes to offer too. This was one of the few pieces that lived up to the dare-bare reputation of the collection.

While the 'second skin' series is in itself was extremely racy, Lady Gaga was seen in one herself. Most of the collection we saw on the ramp here was immensely wearable.

For all those with shoe fetishes, Somarta's collection was a dream. These ones, for instance, have no heels, and practically stay afloat a few inches from the ground.

Sara Arai of Araisara is a designer who has devoted herself to the research and restoration of old Japanese traditional dyeing techniques. We quite liked this asymmetrical design and the symmetry of this one!

Speaking to Rediff, the Japanese designer said she was excited to be in India. She will be showcasing her unique line Yohen Zomei (magical Japanese dyeing technique that changes colour with changing shades of sun's light) to showcase her collection at the LFW 2011.

"I'm very excited to be in India. It is a wonderful opportunity to start an exchange of ideas between India and Japan," she said. The essence of her art is based on weaving traditional Japanese dyeing techniques into contemporary Indian style.

The Yohen Zomei dyeing technique was used to design Emperor's robes in Japan. "The real magic is visible in direct sunlight," Sara Arai said through an interpreter. "But we will try to showcase the magic even in made up light tonight."

She also stresses the point that her designs are inspired by "the spirit of the Orient that encompasses its culture, scenery and natural surroundings."

Sara has come to India on the invitation of the organisers as part of the efforts by the organizers of LFW to sync international fashion trends with Indian designs.

"It is sad and very unfortunate that the Japanese people are going through a catastrophe now," she said referring to the devastation the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the consequent tsunami have created in Japan.

A sheer black cape over a perfectly fitted swimwear!

This lovely white deep-neck gown with a dash of black had us swooning.

Sara's collection features a Japanese dyeing technique that changes colour with changing shades of sun's light. It is best seen in daylight but Sara did weave a spell of magic on the ramp.

The designer takes a bow and ends the show. A little before the show, she told us through an interpreter that she was excited with the idea of being in India.