TOKYO FASHION CROSSING 2024

On Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, the fashion event "TOKYO FASHION CROSSING 2024" sponsored by the Fashion Festa 2024 Executive Committee was held at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Plaza (Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). The MCs were director Terry Ito, performer/model/actor Alan Shirahama, freelance announcer Fumi Yoshitake, and model/fashion designer Fumi Yoshitake as guests for the talk session.Kanda Unotook the stage and spoke about his thoughts on fashion.

■Fashion is an expression of the heart

I think fashion is a reflection of one's heart. Whether you want to go for a refined look today or a bit more outlandish today, it's ultimately a way of expressing yourself. That's why I think that "clothing," one of the necessities of life, comes before food or shelter, and is therefore considered the most important thing. That's why I think a person's heart is first reflected in their "clothing (fashion)."

■Tokyo's fashion culture is the freest in the world

It's the most free and glamorous. I go to New York and London a lot, but Tokyo is still the most free for many people. The word "kawaii" has become a universal word, and it also comes from Tokyo fashion.

■What are the tips for wearing fashion well?

I think it's about wearing it with confidence. It's not about thinking that you're being forced to wear it or that it might not suit you, but rather thinking, "If I'm going to wear this, then I'm going to wear it! It suits me!" If you wear it with that kind of thinking, it really does look good on you. That's why you can make it your own fashion.

■ Hot trend information

I think that greyish and bold colors will be popular this fall and winter. I'm also paying attention to the fact that women are using ribbons quite a lot.

Impression

I've never been to a fashion show before, and I had the impression that it was intimidating. However, TOKYO FASHION CROSSING 2024's concept was "You too can walk the runway," so I was able to enjoy it. There were many themes that felt familiar, such as a show of uniforms of the future and a fashion show of Tokyo residents' casual clothes, so even someone who is not very knowledgeable about fashion was able to take an interest and enjoy the show. It was a wonderful event that made me realize more than ever that fashion is a reflection of the heart and a way to express oneself.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on November 23, 2024 by Aoyama Gakuin University freshman Aoi Kuwayama

Aoi Kuwayama, 1st year student at Aoyama Gakuin University