About JFW in TOKYO
Background
The Japanese fashion industry is in a favorable position which can be characterized by its high-quality of manufacturing and by its large number of consumers who have a discerning eye and strong buying power.
However, in the past Tokyo Collections have had difficulty in attracting both domestic and foreign media and buyers because the program was very long, so it was inconvenient for them to visit it. As a result, it could not create many substantial business opportunities.
In 2005, when the Council of Fashion Designers Tokyo(CFD), an organizer of the Tokyo Collection, had its 20th anniversary, a momentum to strengthen the power of Japanese fashion grew among designers and people in the fashion industry.
In order to enrich the Tokyo Collection and encourage both domestic and foreign media and buyers to visit it, the CFD improved its management system, concentrated venues and shortened the length of the programs so that Japanese fashion could gain international recognition.
As a reaction to this, designers, manufacturers and apparel and retail industry in Japan worked together to establish the Fashion Strategy Forum in June, 2005.
It launched the Japan Fashion Week in TOKYO (JFW in TOKYO) that organizes textile exhibitions and other fashion events as well as the existing Tokyo Collection.
Progress of JFW in TOKYO
The 1st JFW in TOKYO took place from the end of October to the beginning of November, 2005. It was organized by the Japanese government and private sector to achieve the following three goals.
Firstly, the JFW in TOKYO fundamentally strengthens the Tokyo Collection to increase Tokyo's reputation to the world, creates many substantial business opportunities and creates a gateway into the world’s fashion industry for up-and-coming designers. Secondly, the JFW in TOKYO develops closer cooperative ties among "Designers"(Creativity), "Manufacturers"(Craftsmanship) and "Apparel and retail industry"(Trading). Thirdly, the JFW in TOKYO boosts Tokyo's attractiveness by focusing on "town" and collaborating with local communities.
In order to achieve those goals, the JFW in TOKYO had a sustainable program and improved its schedule, like other world's major collections. As a result of the improvements, the number of both domestic and foreign media and buyers has been increasing steadily, and also it is gaining a growing reputation.
Actual achievements
<The 1st>
Date : Mon, October 31 – Wed, November 9, 2005
Main venue : JFW Tent at Meijijingu Gaien Shoutoku Kinen Kaigakan
• Shortened the length of the programs.
• Set up the main venue (JFW Tent at Meijijingu Gaien Shoutoku Kinen Kaigakan) and concentrated venues.
• Held "Designer and Textile Joint Exhibition".
<The 2nd>
Date : Fri, March 17 – Fri, March 24, 2006
Main venue : JFW Tent at Meijijingu Gaien Shoutoku Kinen Kaigakan
• Held the opening event at Prime Minister's Office
• Shortened the length of the programs and accumulated "know-how" by having a sustainable program.
<The 3rd>
Date : Mon, September 4 – Fri, September 8, 2006
Main venue : Tokyo International Forum in Yuraku-cho
• Held the Tokyo Collection ahead of world's major collections (New York, London, Paris and Milan).
• Invited foreign journalists.
<The 4th>
Date : Mon, March 12 – Tue, March 20, 2007
Main venue : JFW Tent in Nihombashi
• Local communities around the main venue organized fashion events for consumers.
• Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Her Imperial Highness Takamadonomiya attended the reception.
• Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari attended fashion show.
Goals
JFW in TOKYO aims to enhance Tokyo as a base of fashion business by achieving the following three goals;
To create a gateway into the world's fashion industry for young designers
JFW in TOKYO provides an opportunity for both new Japanese and foreign designers, who are interested in the Asian fashion market, to show their skills in Tokyo.
To be the center of the cooperation among "Designers" - (Creativity) , "Manufacturers" - (Craftsmanship) , and "Apparel and retail industry" (Trading)
JFW in TOKYO continually makes improvements in its management systems in order to provide new opportunities for high-quality cross-sector partnerships among designers, manufacturers and apparel and retail industry.
To make Tokyo the most fashionable and exciting city
JFW in TOKYO aims at creating a stronger fashion industry in the area of clothing and also seeks to increase new business opportunities for interior and environment design related businesses.
At the same time, JFW in TOKYO aspires to provide the stimulus in the city in the hope that Tokyo will be a fashionable city that people can enjoy living and working.
Programs
JFW in TOKYO is composed chiefly of the following events.
Textile Exhibition is not held during the 5th Japan Fashion Week in TOKYO.
It is scheduled in "JFW JAPAN CREATION".
Date : Wed, December 5 – Fri, December 7, 2007
Venue : Tokyo Big Sight East Hall 1, 2, 3
- Tokyo Collection Week
- JFW Designers' Exhibition
- Textile Exhibition
- New Designer Fashion Grand Prix Final Selection
- Special events for consumers
- Other related events
About Fashion Strategy Forum
The Fashion Strategy Forum was established in June 2005 by fashion designers, manufacturers and retailers in Japan who share the passion to further the strengthening of the competitive power of the Japanese fashion industry, to encourage its independence and growth, and to further increase Tokyo's reputation as the "world's fashion base".
The Fashion Strategy Forum implements the following programs.
Programs
- Reviewing strategy to further increase Tokyo's reputation as the "world's fashion base".
- Reviewing and creating a method of sending comprehensive information around the world.
- Reviewing and developing a program for the Japan Fashion Week in TOKYO.
- Reviewing the whole concept of human development and support for the fashion industry.
- Reviewing the whole concept of design and fashion competitions.
- Promoting unique Japanese creativity.
- Implementing all necessary programs to achieve the aims above.
Representative
Chairman : Akira Baba
Fashion Strategy Forum Secretariat
3F Terasaki 1st. Bldg., 1-10-5, Nihombashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel : +81 - 3 - 3242 - 8551
Fax : +81 - 3 - 3242 - 8552
