Akiko Ogawa Spring Collection - An Expression of Art in Clothing

Details: Category: Fashion; Published on Thursday, 15 December 2011 23:42; Written by Janet Walker

Akiko Ogawa, the talented Tokyo designer made her second appearance at New York's IMG Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week showcasing her 2008 Spring/Summer Collection invoking visions of 1960's America, the explosion of color, and the Culture of Change.

For centuries the Japanese youth culture has used clothing as an avenue of expression, of individualism. In a society that frowns on freedoms this has become an acceptable form of rebellion.

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Capitalism in Tokyo has resulted in disposable income and high end spending. The merging of these desires is creating a high end luxury market and Couture is high end.

Ms. Ogawa designed a collection that is blend of high end and urban wear, a strong competitor with hip-hop leaders and other couture designers, of Tokyo and contains all the vibrant colors of a Tokyo nighttime skyline. An expression of Art in clothing: Complete with her signature style of hand blended and painted garments. The artistic expression of this talented Tokyo native was evident as each garment became a canvas. "Rhapsody in White" was the theme for this year's collection.

The movement to re-introduce the 1960's explosion of expression has been captured by Ms. Ogawa. The mini dress, once a cause for alarm, has been transformed to the baby doll dress, creating an equally arresting freedom of expression. The garments presented in this collection represented a youthful Tokyo reminiscent of America's culture of change.

Ms. Ogawa transferred her love for expression into the garments as she created a line that made a masterful blend of explosive colors in lime, blue and pink neon, pants with side leather lace up's, jeweled appliqué baby doll dresses, gladiator footwear and knee-high patent leather boots.

Her garments were a range of articulation, utilizing colors, trim, sequins, silver metallic square studs; clear round plastic sequins, beads, buttons.