THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Japanese Fashion: The Designers, Brands & Ideas That Changed the World

From Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto to BAPE, Kapital and Auralee, Japanese fashion has influenced everything from haute couture to streetwear.

Discover the people, movements and craftsmanship behind a uniquely Japanese aesthetic.

EXPLORE THE GUIDE

Japanese Fashion at a Glance

Different worlds. Different philosophies. One influence that changed fashion forever.

SEE ALL BRANDS →

AVANT-GARDE

Innovation, deconstruction, silhouettes, concepts.

VIEW BRANDS →

DESIGNER

Contemporary Japanese design on the global stage.

VIEW BRANDS →

STREETWEAR

Tokyo youth culture & subcultures.

VIEW BRANDS →

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Materials, heritage, construction, detail.

VIEW BRANDS →

CONTEMPORARY

Minimalism, fabrics, everyday luxury.

VIEW BRANDS →

EVERYDAY

Accessible design for everyday life.

VIEW BRANDS →

The Story of Japanese Fashion

A journey from post-war Japan to global influence.

EXPLORE THE TIMELINE →
  1. 1950s—60s Post-war Japan & the rise of new creativity
  2. 1960s—70s Kenzo & Hanae Mori bring Japan to Paris
  3. 1981 The arrival of Miyake, Kawakubo & Yamamoto in Paris
  4. 1990s Tokyo streetwear & Ura-Harajuku culture
  5. 2000s Japanese craftsmanship & denim become world-famous
  6. 2010s—Now A new generation of Japanese designers

The Three Designers Who Changed Everything

In 1981, three Japanese designers introduced a new way of thinking about clothing to the world.

READ THEIR STORY →
ISSEY MIYAKE

ISSEY MIYAKE

Technology, movement and the relationship between fabric and body.

EXPLORE →
REI KAWAKUBO

REI KAWAKUBO

Comme des Garçons. Deconstruction, art and challenging the rules.

EXPLORE →
YOHJI YAMAMOTO

YOHJI YAMAMOTO

Black, tailoring, asymmetry and a different relationship with the body.

EXPLORE →

Browse the Brand Directory

PRICE:
FOR:
ISSEY MIYAKE

ISSEY MIYAKE

AVANT-GARDE • $$$$

Pioneer of new textile technology and functional beauty. Famous for Pleats Please and A-POC.

EXPLORE BRAND →
COMME DES GARÇONS

COMME DES GARÇONS

AVANT-GARDE • $$$$

Rei Kawakubo's vision of deconstruction and anti-fashion that redefined modern fashion.

EXPLORE BRAND →
YOHJI YAMAMOTO

YOHJI YAMAMOTO

AVANT-GARDE • $$$$

Timeless tailoring, oversized silhouettes and the power of black.

EXPLORE BRAND →
A BATHING APE®

A BATHING APE®

STREETWEAR • $$$

The brand that put Tokyo streetwear on the global map.

EXPLORE BRAND →
KAPITAL

KAPITAL

CRAFTSMANSHIP • $$$

Eclectic, vintage-inspired design with incredible attention to detail.

EXPLORE BRAND →
AURALEE

AURALEE

CONTEMPORARY • $$$

Understated clothing made extraordinary through fabrics and construction.

EXPLORE BRAND →
IRON HEART

IRON HEART

CRAFTSMANSHIP • $$$

Heavyweight denim and workwear made to last a lifetime.

EXPLORE BRAND →
SACAI

SACAI

DESIGNER • $$$$

Hybrid designs that mix fabrics, styles and functional details.

EXPLORE BRAND →
COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY

COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY

EVERYDAY • $$

Iconic heart logo and playful designs for everyday wear.

EXPLORE BRAND →
PORTER

PORTER

CRAFTSMANSHIP • $$

Iconic bags and accessories made in Japan with precision and function.

EXPLORE BRAND →
VISVIM

VISVIM

CRAFTSMANSHIP • $$$$

Heritage, travel and craftsmanship blended into timeless pieces.

EXPLORE BRAND →
NEEDLES

NEEDLES

CONTEMPORARY • $$

A modern classic blending vintage influences with unique Japanese style.

EXPLORE BRAND →

No brands match these filters.

Stay Inspired

Stories about Japan, culture, design and more — delivered to your inbox.

FOLLOW NIHONZERA