Michiko Koshino
It takes a lot of self-awareness and
character to proclaim ones design style as "techno-driven"
and "clubculture-inspired" in the year 2004. As a matter
of fact, Michiko Koshino's collections have their roots in the
somewhat questionable fashion area of the techno inspired late
1980s. Even then, however, did she differentiate herself from
the heavy usage of rubber and PVC that her contemporaries were
using. Mixes of far eastern exoticism and metropolitan flair
have always influenced her style. Michiko was born in 1950 in
Osaka, Japan, and moved to London in 1975, where she still lives
and works today. The night live of both cities influenced her
work from early on; she incorporated reflective materials, elastic
bandages and inflatable objects in her collections. It was especially
her ability to tailor the materials and her combination of wearable
and innovative designs that set her apart from the rest of the
cyber craze. Soon after did Michiko Koshino open her first shops
in Tokyo and London and in 1987 had her "breakthrough"
with her biker collection "Motorking". She then started
to produce heavy-duty every day wear with nylon, in cooperation
with the Japanese motorcycle clothing producer Adachi. In 1993
Koshino presented the first designer condom, one of many off-shoots
in her design career, in response to the acute problem of AIDS.
She has always maintained her affinity towards music and art,
as well as her keen interest in new technologies outside of the
traditional fashion business. For example, she customized an
environmental friendly Honda Scooter, and one of her current
project is designing an "anti-aging relaxing" Headset,
which will be presented soon in Japan.
In 2004, Michiko Koshino's empire encompasses
the entire lifestyle assortment from underwear to sunglasses,
watches, to a cosmetic line. The Denim Line, Yen Jeans, which
was introduced in 1996, is the most recognized in Europe, and
especially in Germany. Until this day they only use Japanese
Denim which is woven on the original 1940s Looms and original
indigo dye techniques, to produce the Yen Line Jeans. The Autum/
Winter 2004/2005 Collection is inspired by antique Kimonos and
illustrations, as well as contemporary cultural reflections of
Tokyo and London. Visionary and experimental are the new rough
washes, high end leather details and asymmetric reeding. The
key item in the women's collection is a skirt made out of baby
corduroy, whose multiple pockets claim function ability and design-not
just for clubbing.
www.michikokoshino.com | www.yenjeans.net | [r.my]