Fashion sector and the tsunami of March 11: Giorgio Armani
Fashion sector and the tsunami of March 11: Giorgio Armani
Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
Last year the March 11 tsunami in Japan killed over 19,000 people and even today many bodies are still missing. Therefore, vast numbers of people from all over the world responded to this tragic event. In the field of fashion many famous international and Japanese designers showed a different side to the fashion sector which is often overlooked. Therefore, from the Mighty Harajuku Project in Tokyo which was the brainchild of Sebastian Masuda at 6%DokiDoki to Giorgio Armani, the response in this sector was heartwarming.
Modern Tokyo Times will focus on various aspects of the March 11 tragedy before the first anniversary of this tragic day is remembered with sorrow in 2012. Articles related to this event will also highlight the complexity of human nature because many questions have been raised. Therefore, the repercussions of this tragic event still remains and this notably applies to finding the remaining bodies, the nuclear angle, the reality that the elderly suffered the brunt of the deaths, and a host of other important areas.
This article will turn the clock back and focus on the fashion angle. After all, the huge support and donations raised in this sector show that behind the images of beauty and exquisite designs, is another world which joins forces during times of utter devastation.
March 11, 2011 – earthquake and tsunami
The tragic events of March 11 in Japan deeply moved hundreds of millions of people all over the world who were shocked by the powerful earthquake and tsunami. Suddenly a major developed nation which is amongst the elite in the world was devastated and tens of thousands of people were swept away by the tsunami.
Images, videos and media coverage highlighted the speed of events and in the blink of an eye another village was swept away. International governments responded quickly and major charities launched appeals. Therefore, the people who reside in Japan knew that the international community cared deeply and during the early period of the crisis this solidarity was much appreciated.
The fashion sector also responded to the tragic events and this applies to internationally famous designers and domestic fashion designers in Japan. Giorgio Armani was deeply struck by events and in July during Paris Fashion Week he highlighted Japan’s rich culture by fusing aspects within his exquisite designs.
Funds being donated by Armani are much appreciated and the same applies to other famous fashion designers who have done so much to support the people of Japan. Often people only see a single dimension towards fashion and this applies to enhancing beauty.
However, the fashion industry is much deeper than this and many major fashion companies have social policies and care deeply about global events. Armani is said to be “captivated by Japanese culture” and clearly many Japanese people are equally captivated by the designs and fashion of Armani.
Armani’s exclusive haute couture collection (Fall/Winter 2011-2012) during the Paris Fashion Week highlighted the rich heritage of Japan. His amazing designs focused on dresses being based on the kimono-style, elegant floral prints on exquisite silk, kanzashi, elements of geisha, and other unique images of Japanese symbols were fused within the stunning Armani collection.
Armani commented that he had been “profoundly moved by the tragic events” of March 11 and therefore he desired to show his love of Japan and love of humanity. In the past famous brands in fashion have given to charity but Armani’s gesture is much deeper. After all, the theme of the entire couture collection was based on a single cause and this is extremely unusual.
Armani’s show was called the Hommage au Japon and his entire collection had a delightful Japanese feel. Crème de la crème fashion highlighted the exquisiteness of Japanese imagery and the show was focused on a deep meaning and Armani did this with his unique panache.
The internationally famous designer stated that his couture collection was a very important “creative gesture.” Clearly the thinking behind this was aimed at the financial side of supporting UNESCO and the scholarship programme aimed at children who have suffered so much because of the tsunami.
Armani being Armani did this in a unique way because the couture collection highlighted the richness of Japanese culture but within the confines of exquisite fashion.
Armani commented that he admired Japan because “of the refined sense of aesthetics” and “courage and composure” of the people.
Exquisite fashion from the crème de la crème of international designers is showing that haut couture fashion is multi-dimensional and Armani did this with panache and his fashion showed the “aesthetics of the designer.”
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