From left to right: No Name, Tangtsungchien, and Wooleex (Photo provided by Global Fashion Collective)
On September 2, a fashion parade was held at Hikarie Hall B in Shibuya, Tokyo. It showcased collections from emerging designers worldwide, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, and Malaysia. The event was organized by the Global Fashion Collective (GFC) in collaboration with Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO.
Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO is one of the world's major bi-annual fashion events. First held in 2005, it is commonly regarded alongside New York, London, Milan, and Paris as part of the global "Big Five" fashion weeks.
Global Fashion Collective (GFC) was established in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 2017. It aims to nurture emerging fashion talent globally while championing diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry. It organizes showcases at major fashion weeks.
The September 2 Tokyo show is the seventh occasion on which GFC has participated in Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo.
Nine designers presented their collections. The feature designer was Ayaka Oshita, winner of the Soen Award. Soen is Japan's longest-running fashion magazine, and its award was established in 1956 to recognize young creators.
The Upcycling Drive
A dominant theme in both the GFC Tokyo collection and the contemporary fashion world in general was the concept of upcycling. According to leading upcycle designer Nodoka Sugauchi, upcycling differs from recycling in that items are reused to create something of higher value or utility. Additionally, unlike in recycling, the reused items typically remain intact. They are not broken down.
Characterized by added value through creativity and design, the fashion industry is a natural fit for the upcycling concept. The most recognizable application is the transformation of used denim into denim-based fashion, of which there were several examples during the show. The most prominent was the collection of Taiwan-based Story Wear.
A Metamorphosing Collection
The theme of the collection of the featured designer Ayaka Oshita is "Metamorphose." This term refers to the emotional release and transformation that occurs when suppressed impulses, emotions, and hopes are finally unleashed. The collection explores the moment of change and liberation, expressing the breaking free of constraints and the beauty of inner emotions.
Key features of her collection include:
- Wing-like Silhouettes: Symbolizing freedom and transformation.
- Unraveling Ribbons: Representing the shedding of constraints.
- Torn Fabrics: Highlighting the breaking free of barriers
- Vine-like Embroidery: Evoking natural growth and flourishing.
Following Tokyo, the shows of the Global Fashion Collective move on to New York, London, and Milan. They will conclude in Paris on October 3. The Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO resumes with the 2026 Spring/Summer season on March 16, 2026.
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Author: Paul de Vries
