Friday, July 16, 2010

after the rain

Photo from a past editorial in SO-EN at the famous Hachiko

During the time away from blogging, shopping, reading magazines, etc. the resort and couture collections have ended and stores are already stocking pre-fall clothes. How time flies...I haven't even found the perfect summer dress yet!
It's finally summer and I'm definitely hoping more blogging and more effortless days. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

absense


Apologies for the lack of posts and returning comments recently. The sun is shining outside today but I'm stuck inside studying. I'm counting the days until summer, when I can be free...
How is everyone doing? Any summer plans?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Hussein Chalayan from fashion and back

I finally made it to the Hussein Chalayan exhibit! I wrote about the exhibit before it started and it was too bad I couldn't go earlier.
やっと行ってきました。東京都現代美術館で開催されているフセイン・チャラヤン展。いち早くここで紹介していたのですが、見に行くのが終了間際になってしまって残念。

In an interview, Chalayan has stated that he's more like a fashion artist than a fashion designer and I think this exhibit displayed that well. It is definitely not just a retrospective of his past collections, but an installation of his artwork. I was especially surprised by the amount of films on display. Chalayan incorporates so many ideas and topics in his work, and I found it quite difficult to wrap my head around the underlying meaning of his films. Another reason to go to an exhibit as soon as it starts--so that there's time to go again. I wish I could go re-watch the films and try to deepen my understanding. They were very interesting and thought-provoking to say the least.
My favorites were "After Words" (Autumn/Winter 2000) and "Absent Presence" (short film, 2005). I definitely recommend watching the video for "After Words". Chalayan was "inspired by the plight of the refugee and the horror of having to leave one's home suddenly in times of war". I won't go into details here but watching the furniture transformed into clothing and ultimately leaving the room still and lifeless was an extremely powerful image.
Tilda Swinton plays a biologist in "Absent Presence", which "explores the neurosis and paranoia surrounding the issue of terrorism, inspired by the introduction of 'hard line' policies on immigration and the resulting suspicion surrounding foreign individuals". I felt that this was easier to understand than the other films and watching different scenes on five screens at once created an amazing effect. This is an extremely relevant topic to our society today and it makes you wonder if this is the kind of future that awaits us.
自分はファッションデザイナーというより、ファッションアーティストであるとインタビューで語ったチャラヤン。まさにそれを上手く捉えた展示だったな、という印象です。過去のコレクションのアーカイブ、というよりアートインスタレーションって感じですかね。映像作品が多くてびっくりしました。チャラヤンの作品は歴史や科学など、本当に幅広い分野を取り入れて、どの作品も何回でも見たいと思うものばかりでした。見る度に必ず新しい発見がありそうな気がする。
個人的に好きだったのが「アフター・ワーズ」(秋/冬2000)と「不在の存在」(短編映画)。「アフター・ワーズ」は難民の苦境から着想を得たコレクションで、部屋の中の家具が洋服へと変化するところが印象的。最終的に部屋には何もなく、空虚さだけが残る。空っぽになった部屋は静かに、でも強く訴える、パワフルなイメージ。
「不在の存在」は女優のティルダ・スウィントンが出演していましたね。日本も変化していくなか、これからはどういう社会になるのか。この短編映画みたいな日がいつか訪れるのか。色々考えさせられました。

I felt that Chalayan is depicting conflicts and themes that are actually connected strongly to our lives. I could only be amazed at Chalayan's ability to show those conflicts and themes through fashion.
私達の生活や人生にも関っている問題やテーマをファッションで表現しているのかな。複雑な感情、トピックをファッションで表すチャラヤンの作品から衝撃、刺激を受けるばかりでした。


Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-5245-4111
Hours: 10:00-18:00
Exhibit: ~6/20

東京都現代美術館
江東区三好4−1−1
TEL: 03-5245-4111
開館時間:10:00-18:00
展示:〜6/20

The quotes describing "After Words" and "Absent Presence" is from the official book. Click to read more on what I thought about the official book...
オフィシャル本についての感想は下をクリックしてください。

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Mixed Matched Media ✕ Tokyo Identity

One of the things I wish I was good at is art. Going to a museum is one of my favorite things to do and I think art history is fascinating, but I just can't put my thoughts and inspirations in a drawing or painting.
So I was really excited when the talented CC Wai of Mixed Matched Media offered to translate my concept and ideas into a drawing for my blog! If you haven't seen her blog, definitely go have a look. The Vivienne Westwood and Miu Miu are some of my favorites, I love how she captures each collection perfectly but still adds a touch of her own uniqueness.
美術館に行ったり、美術について学んだり、アートに触れるのは大好きだけど、どうしても自分では何も作り出せない。デッサンとか、粘土とか、最強に苦手です。
そんな私と正反対なCC Waiさんが私のコンセプトを元に絵を書いてくださる、と言ってくれました!CC Waiさんのブログはいつも素敵な絵や写真でいっぱい。特に好きなのは、コレクションからインスパイアされた絵。そのブランドの個性を再現しつつ、CC Waiさんの独特の絵に仕上がっています。

mintdesigns, maothu photos from Fashion Snap
It was hard for me to think of an idea, but I definitely knew I wanted the drawing to be set in Tokyo and for the girl to have a bob. This is a photo I sent to her for reference. I love how time seems to be passing slowly on this street, despite it being right in Tokyo. CC Wai suggested that she refer to some of my past posts for inspiration, and to my surprise, she drew two of my favorite pieces from the mintdesigns and matohu collection!
とりあえず描いて頂く絵は東京の設定、そして絵の中の女の子はボブがいいと思いました。でも久しぶりに絵のアイディアを考えようとすると、意外と難しい...CC Waiさんの提案で私が東京で好きな場所の写真を送ることに。写真は書いてある通り、夕方のキャットストリート。なんだかここに行くと落ち着き、そして色々な意味で思い出深い場所です。
絵の中の女の子は私がブログに載せたものを参考にするとのこと。mintdesignsmatohuが好きと伝えたのですが、なんと私のお気に入りのルックを描いてくださって、本当に嬉しい!


Isn't it gorgeous? I think she captured the atmosphere of the street perfectly, and the vibrant colors are so beautiful. & I can't get over how stylish the threesome look. I love that all three of the girls have bobs, but how the color and styling fits their personality and outfit. Really cool to see my ideas, combined with CC Wai's, come to life.
A huge thank you to CC Wai for this amazing drawing and a wonderful experience!
これが私のアイディアをベースにCC Waiさんが描いてくださった絵。色の使い方や雰囲気の捉え方、全てにおいて本当に素敵な絵に仕上がっていますよね。女の子たちは全員ボブだけど、髪の色やスタイリングがコーディネートにぴったりで、3人とも個性的。mintdesignsのヘットピースを少し控えめにして、町でもつけられそうになっているところもツボです。
一緒にコンセプトを考えたりするのもすごく楽しかったです。CC Waiさん、本当にありがとうございます!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

cotton


Photos found on mixi

Happy Friday everyone! I could not be more happy that the weekend is here and that my tests are finished!
This is Japanese model Rina Ohta for tsumori chisato SLEEP from a while back. Light cotton dresses, big beds, and a house by the beach...makes me wish it was summer already.
Have a wonderful weekend!
結構前のツモリチサトスリープより、太田莉菜さん。今の短い髪も好きだけど、長い髪も女の子っぽくて可愛い。
コットンのドレス、大きいベッド、海辺のお家。早く夏休みにならないかなぁ。

Monday, May 17, 2010

Ghibli Museum in Mitaka

A couple of months ago I went to Ghibli Museum for the first time. I've been meaning to go for the longest time and I finally did. I grew up watching Ghibli films and my friends and I still get totally excited whenever a new film comes out.
ずっと行こうと思っていたジブリ美術館。数ヶ月前やっと行ってきました!

As you can see, the museum is nestled away in the nature, helping create the Ghibli world...
自然の中にそっと潜む、隠れ家みたいな美術館。ジブリの雰囲気にぴったりです。

Photographs aren't allowed inside the museum (and it is so much better to see everything in person, you'll feel like you're in a Ghibli film) so I'm going to show some other parts...
館内では写真が禁止なので、それ以外のものを紹介...

...like the cafe!
...まずはカフェ!

The left is called omu-rice, basically, an omelette with rice inside. The right, a strawberry shortcake. Both very good, not to mention absolutely adorable! All of the food came with a little flag on top and the plates had Ghibli characters on them too. A fun fact: the omu-rice is shaped like a straw hat, like the one Mei wears in Totoro.
麦わらぼうしのオムライスとふぞろいイチゴのショートケーキ。ジブリの映画の中にでできそうな可愛さ。気付きましたか?オムライスがちゃんと麦わらぼうしになっているんです。麦わらぼうしはめいちゃんがかぶってましたね。


Inside the cafe


The courtyard

This is the guardian of the museum, the Robot Soldier on the Rooftop from Laputa Castle in the Sky. You might have recognized the Robot Soldier peering over the entire museum in the first photo.
ロボット兵はここの守り神。一番最初の写真にひっそりと佇んでいるロボット兵に気付きましたでしょうか。

For more information about exhibits and the museum itself, go here. I saw the Ponyo exhibition when I went and it was really interesting to see Hayao Miyazaki's actual sketches. There is also a small, very cute movie theater playing a short film that you can see only at the museum. And just a warning, don't forget to reserve your tickets in advance, they can't be purchased at the museum.
Do you have a favorite Ghibli film? I'd love to know. Mine are Spirited Away and Whisper of the Heart.


Ghibli Museum, Mitaka in Japan
1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Closed Tuesdays)

三鷹の森ジブリ美術館
東京都三鷹市下連雀1−1−83(都立井の頭恩賜公園西園内)
開館時間:10:00−18:00(定休日:火曜日)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

le cygne


Thank you everyone, for all the comments on the last post! I haven't had time to look at everyone's blogs and write comments because midterms are coming up soon...hopefully I can update with short posts like these. I do have one longer post coming up, but before that, this photo is of a swan choux (cream puff) from CHAYA. It looks so elegant and almost too pretty to eat but it's very very tasty.
Happy Wednesday, hope you're all having a wonderful week!

小さい頃から食べていて、思い出いっぱいの茶屋のスワンシュー。
可愛くて食べるのがもったいない!といつも思うけど美味しくて軽いからペロッと食べてしまう。