Giuliano Fujiwara: Inventive Mastercraftsman

MILAN, Jan 19, 2006 (Updated May 14, 2009) / FW/ — Established in Milan in the late 1980s, Fujiwara Design Studio was the brainchild of Giuliano Fujiwara, of his lucid perception of the potential of blending Japan and Italy, their design and manufacturing traditions, on the somewhat testing ground of menswear.

A confluence that crystallized into a powerful, graphic concept. Targeting a refined, niche audience, Giuliano Fujiwara’s collection was always pure. Distilled. At the designer’s death, his wife Kyomi Fujiwara took over to ensure solidity and continuity to the project.

In 2005, Giuliano Fujiwara was incorporated as a brand by STEADFAST, a Japanese company engaged in activities outside the fashion business, but with a growing interest in the area. The new partner’s entry has coincided with the brand’s relaunch and global updating.

Once more, Kiyomi Fujiwara acts as figure ensuring continuity through change, while design matters are put under the care of twenty-five year old, Japan-born, Swiss- and British-educated Masataka Matsumura. A long-time committed follower of Giuliano Fujiwara’s work, Masataka Matsumura has also been the main driving force behind the new visibility and global updating plan.

While still faithful to the original concept of a blend of Japanese design and Italian manufacturing, the relaunch has also involved a dramatic, uncompromising turn to modernity, striving for an idea of luxury that would not be confined to mere formalism, but rather entail a resolute quest for perfection and creativity in detail and finishing. Important ongoing collaborations with upmarket companies like Borsalino and Loro Piana testify to the high profile of this work-in-progress.

The design studio still retains its Milan location. Masaka Matsumura commutes between Tokyo and Italy, where most of the production is carried out, by those very laboratories and technical staff that Giuliano Fujiwara had employed in the first place. Some specific items, such as denims, shall instead be manufactured in Japan.

As part of the relaunch, a whole new world is being built around the brand. A flagship boutique is under construction in Tokyo, in the Aoyama area. Agreements for manufacture under licence are already operative with Optical Design and Calzaturificio Vigens, for an eyewear and a footwear line, respectively. A small-scale series of black diamond and silver jewellery is being manufactured in Japan, and another one in Italy. Future prospects also include clothing and accessories in limited series for exclusive sale in our flagship store.

Website: www.giulianofujiwara.com

• Address:

C. so Genova 11
20123 Milan
ITALY
Tel: +39 (02) 89 40 59 12
Fax: +39 (02) 89 40 61 01

Sex workers put on fashion show to fight AIDS

Sex workers sought to raise awareness about discrimination and AIDS with a colourful fashion show on the margins of the world AIDS conference on Wednesday.

Strutting sexily -- or shyly -- down an improvised catwalk, sex workers and activists drew a large crowd at the Global Village where NGOs have set up booths for the week-long conference.

The collection featured skimpy yellow shorts with thin braces, a mini-skirt over red fishnet tights and frilly dresses, with condoms in bright packaging sticking out of bodices or pockets as a reminder of the theme.

It was designed by Daspu, a Brazilian label set up in 2005 by a former prostitute now involved in defending sex workers' rights and named from "das putas", which means "from the whores" in Portuguese.

For prostitutes, "AIDS prevention is an instrument for working," Friederike Strack of Davida, an association working Daspu in Brazil, told AFP.

The prevalence of HIV among this group is significantly higher than in the rest of the population but criminalisation of sex workers meant access to information and treatment was limited in many countries, Strack said.

"It's important that the sex professionnals, the sex workers, know how to use condoms, and they are the best to make HIV prevention: they have contact with the clients," said Strack.

"Visibility of our population is very important to get less discrimination, violence and negative attitude against our group," added Camille, a transgender sex worker and model for the day.

Colour Bomb this season collections

This season's collections were an explosion of breathtaking brights

VICTORIA SECRET FASHION SHOW 2009-2010 HD [PART 1]

Beauty Trend:

Beauty Trend:
Autumn/Winter 2010-11

LAUDED as one of the most wearable Couture Fashion Weeks in recent memory, the shows at Paris Couture Fashion Week for autumn/winter 2010-11 saw designers including Chanel, Valentino and Christian Dior present stunning collections that we could see ourselves wearing. Hair and make-up looks were equally as manageable with a focus on natural skin, and a strong lip or eye.

Fashion as a Barometer of Cultural Changes

How we perceive the beauty or ugliness of our bodies is dependant on cultural attitudes to physiognomy. The accepted beautiful female form that Rubens painted is subliminally undesirable nowadays, if we are to be thought beautiful in a way that the majority accepts in the 21^st century.

Today an inability to refashion and reshape our bodies whilst constantly monitoring the cultural ideal leaves us failing the fashion test. Those that pass the fashion test invariably spend their lives absorbed in a circle of diet, exercise, cosmetic surgery and other regimes. This includes the rigors of shopping in search of the ultimate garb.

Balenciaga Spring 2010 Colection