Eye on Japan

We've witnessed numerous fashion trends emerging from Japan: full-on Asian influences sweeping across Prada, Miu Miu, Christian Dior, Gucci, and Gianfranco Ferre's spring collections; Japanese animation via Takashi Murakami invading the likes of the chic Parisian fashion house Louis Vuitton; and hair texture and crazy color play first appearing in Shibuyaku malls now influencing the multi-colored plaits speckling funky up-dos in urban neighborhoods. So why not go straight to the source? Snapshots of fashionable Japanese men and women categorized by neighborhoods, market trends, must-know department stores and boutiques, interior design as well as detailed financial and consumer information are just some features that make up fashionjapan.com, an online trends resource. As more and more style-obsessed consumers and key market players go online to get to-the-minute trends information supported by actual cultural data, this quick, easy dose of fashion information is a true find. "Open your eyes and see the future," goes their tag line, a hard invitation to refuse. For closer to home trendspotting resources, visit fashioninformation.com, hintmag.com, fashionet.com, fashionwiredaily.com, firstview.com, and don't forget jcreport.com!
- Georgia Alexandra Davis