Luxe by Plugin is a special exhibition hosting designers from around the world but especially from Japan. The event took place at Bellesale in Roppongi. The first floor featured clothing and the second featured beauty products and household goods. This was my second time attending the Luxe by Plugin show. Each designer has their own booth and press and visitors can speak with them and look at their collections. There were a few designers I recognized from last year and a few new ones too! The designers were eager to chat and show us their creations. Thanks to all for answering our questions!
Shida TatsuyaI am really fond of Shida's work. Last year he presented a collection at the
Shinmai Creator's Project. He is from Shizuoka and he even has a store in my home town city of Numazu! This year he was inspired by '80s looks and fabrics. He loves dying materials and changing them into his own eclectic creations. His pieces were more subtle this year, geared toward everyday where but just as intricately crafted. Keep your eye out for Shida Tatsuya in the future!
Shida with one of his favorite pieces.
Fumio
Designer Akiyama started his career working with Issey Miyake in 1979 before establishing his own company, A. WORK STUDIO in 1996. He signed a contract with Sanyo Shokai in 1999 and was chief designer of TAOC. He started his own label, FUMIO in May 2003 and also showed his first collection at Japan Fashion Week. He has been presenting his work at ATMOSPHERE Paris since October 2006. You can visit his website
here.
Akiyama cuts and alters fabrics to make unique pieces that are not seen anywhere else in Japan. The material selection and production all take place in Japan. He is incredibly skilled at using materials to mimic others, for instance, there was one beautiful top that was made of polyester but felt like silk! Akiyama usually shows his collection bi-annually in Paris.
Akiyama is known for his
unique three dimensional cuts.
Numb Plural Shoes
I have never seen any shoes like these before! They are handmade...rightdown to the shoe laces. The theme for this season was taking out the unnecessary parts of shoes. For every different pair of shoes I saw, there was a different design. The looks are originally created perfectly and then altered by distressing afterward.
The designer, Machiko Yoshizoe, was incredibly helpful and eager to talk about the brand. The label's original inception was geared towards men's shoes, but since last November they have been designing for women too. She also introduced us to her booth neighbor, Cover.
The Numb Plural Booth.
Cover
This label is particularly inspired by Okinawa. The designer, Issei Higa, created the looks using Yukari material. The clothes were immaculately designed and great for casual day wear. Visit the website
here.
The designers from Numb Plural
and Numb Shoes together!
Sakagu chi-ko
More shoes! There were some definite eye-catchers here! There were casual as well as more elegant evening looks. These shoes are produced in Japan and sold at select department stores.
Fabulous boots of course!
Magic Stone/Nandamo Premium Soap
On the cosmetics and household products floor we met the CEO and designers of The Magic Stone Nandamo Premium Soap. They were eager to tell us about their unique product and even gave us a sample. I have yet to try it yet but I am sure it will be fabulous! The soap is made of natural products. Unfortunately the website is only in Japanese but you can visit the site
here.
Cutting the stone.
The first show of the day on Wednesday October 22 was Suzuki Takayuki. His exhibition took place at the Art Complex in Shinjuku and I was extremely lucky to have found it after asking for directions every block along the way!
After arriving at the Art Complex I descended a dark, winding staircase to access Takakyuki's collection in the basement of the Art Complex. I arrived quite early for the first show and had the opportunity to take photos along with other members of the press before the first show began. You had to walk through a curtain to get to his collection which was presented in a room completely draped in white fabric. There was also a stunning mural that covered the entire back wall. The mural consisted of images taken of a dancer in different poses in his clothing. His intention of the mural? To show the movement of clothes, accomplished! 
The color scheme of the collection revolved entirely around black and white. The layering of the garments was phenomenal. Exhibitions are great because you are able to see the clothes up close and examine the craftsmanship. The installation, entitled “A Moment,” focused on light, sound, movement and the passing of time. The materials consisted primarily of knit cottons and silks. Key looks included black fitted blazers paired with short skirts of multiple layers as well as full skirts, high collars, and cinched waists. One would think that all these layers would make the garments look bulky but they did not. The draping was also fantastic. Each look was more unique and eye catching than the next, however they were a little heavy for Spring. Perhaps they could be worn as separates. Please visit his website here.
Through the mannequins.
A closer look at the mural.
From afar.
Akiyama is known for his
The Numb Plural Booth.
The designers from Numb Plural
Fabulous boots of course!
Cutting the stone.
