Japan Fashion Now Exhibit at the Museum at FIT

Inspiration from the East?  Avant-garde or Super-sweet?  Gothic? Anime?  What do you think of when you think of Japanese fashion?  The current exhibit at the Museum of FIT investigates the tipping point of Japan as a fashion heavyweight in the 1980's to current streetwear influences.  Edgy designers like Comme des Garcons and Yohji Yamamoto bridged philosophy and art with functional clothing.  

There is a gallery of a futuristic Tokyo and a range of styles representing subcultures of Forest Girl, Kawaii, Gothic Lolitas and Cosplay.

The exhibit runs until January 8, 2011 and is located at 27th street and 7th avenue in NYC.

Gothic: Dark Glamor Exihibit at the Museum at F.I.T.

Gothic fashion, obviously there is a huge fan base out there, though until a few years ago, the mainstream still considered it fringe or club-kid attire. The Museum at F.I.T. has organized a stunning exhibit documenting all sorts of dark style. You can view everything from historical mourning outfits to recent couture collections of top fashion designers. Pictured above is a Victorian mourning dress, a period of major inspiration for Gothic style. On the right, an outfit by Rodarte for Fall 2008 inspired by Japanese horror films, with the look of blood in the water. The show is set up like a labyrinthe, with themes like Night, Ruined Castle and the Dark Ages. There are public programs associated with the exhibit which include a Tim Burton film series as well as readings of Bram Stoker and Edgar Allen Poe.