Tokyo is a city famed for its trend-setting street style and iconic fashion subcultures, and last month, this innovative legacy served as the backdrop for hiTechMODA’s latest global runway production. Aiming to democratise and unite the fashion industry, this showcase spotlighted looks from a variety of emerging global designers on an international stage.
Creating a platform where up-and-coming talent can shine has always been hiTechMODA’s mission. And nowhere has this ethos been so thoroughly put into action than at this Tokyo showcase. Devised around the idea of cultural exchange, this production brilliantly exemplified fashion’s capacity to both honour cultural nuances with specificity whilst also inviting onlookers in through the medium’s universal mode of storytelling.
This theme remained consistent on and off the runway, leading the event’s pre-show agenda. Founder Pamela Privette’s vision of “bring[ing] designers and cultural voices together” was brought to life by the exhibition and networking experience which opened the showcase, encouraging guests to mingle and connect over their craft.
Composed of two dynamic acts, the innovative showcase that followed spotlighted looks from Native American, Indigenous, Japanese, Canadian, American and British designers in its first international segment. Modern takes on heritage designs and sculptural tailoring from designers Mitch Desunia, C. Lysias Designs, Red Hummingbird Designs, Cool Kimono Crafts, House of Willow, Altrn8tv, Nita Belle’s Closet, SCI PH and Yuna Style graced the runway.
The captivating second act – conceived of as a cultural segment – elevated the showcase further by blending dynamic performance with traditional runway presentation. Featuring appearances from The Bebia Cho Company, Designs by Star Cherie, Bineshii Creations, Rebekah Jarvey, Tracey Toulouse and Ally’s Ribbons, hiTechMODA delivered a diverse sartorial meditation on identity and connection.
As the latest showcase in a run of New York, Paris, Milan and Cannes runway productions, this Tokyo showcase further demonstrated fashion’s unique capacity to people together over a shared love of beauty, art and innovation.
Images: Anton Dinev
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