Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO (Rakuten FWT) 2025 A/W, organized by Japan Fashion Week Organization (JFWO), welcomed its first day of Fashion Week.

Homecoming event for FASHION PRIZE OF TOKYO 2026 held Sunday, March 15th, a day before the main event, featuring a runway show by YOKE
Shibuya Hikarie, Hikarie Hall, Hall A (from 6:00 PM)

On Sunday, March 15th, the day before the main event began, a runway show was held featuring YOKE, a winner of the Grand Prix at the FASHION PRIZE OF TOKYO 2026. As a companion to the men’s show they presented at Paris Fashion Week in January, this event featured an all-women’s collection. A large screen was installed on the venue’s wall displaying scenes of everyday life in Paris, as if sharing with us the days from two months prior when YOKE took on this challenge. As the show began, the footage switched to side-view shots of the men’s show in Paris.

As the female models walked the runway, it seemed as though their shadows were being projected in real time, a characteristic YOKE-style visual effect that deepened the atmosphere of the venue.

This season drew inspiration from the creations of sculptor Jean Arp. According to the theme “BEYOND FORM,” a minimalist yet subtly illusory silhouette was created using high-quality textiles, evoking the sculptor’s surrealist works.

Waists cinched with a delicate belt to alter the jacket’s silhouette, gloves hooked onto belts, and scarves draped around the waist like an obi sash. Amidst the prevalence of I-line silhouettes, these unexpected twists to the styling created a captivating yet subtle sense of dissonance. Bright red lips contrasted with nude lips; kitten heels and high heels with thin straps wrapped around the ankles. The looks unveiled by YOKE in its women’s line shined while exuding a stoic sensuality.

Adding a touch of softness to the serene collection were knit bags created in collaboration with KNITPOTTERY, designed by Emiko Sato. Models featured shoes produced in partnership with Foot the Coacher, a collaboration that began in the S/S 2026 season.

Sharing his impressions of the show and exhibition held in Paris, designer Norio Terada stated, “We wanted to showcase a new phase for YOKE, since during our time in Paris we secured about 10 new overseas wholesale partners.” With the addition of a women’s line, we look forward to the brand’s future success as YOKE sprints towards its next stage. After the show concluded, the models made a surprise reappearance on the runway allowing attendees to view the garments up close.

In the foyer, a variety of drinks including Dassai sparkling sake were served to celebrate the opening of Fashion Week. The press conference was a huge success, once again demonstrating the high level of attention YOKE is receiving.

Many individual interviews took place, in which Designer Terada joined, answering each question earnestly with a smile giving no hint to the feeling of fatigue from the Fashion Week circuit that had been ongoing since January. His ability to respond thoughtfully to every question also underscores the strength of the YOKE brand.

Top show on the first day: Winner of the TOKYO FASHION AWARD 2026 “KAKAN” (from 12:00 PM) Shibuya Hikarie, Hikarie Hall, Hall A

KAKAN, winner of the TOKYO FASHION AWARD 2026, held its first-ever runway show. The brand has garnered attention for its intricate designs since its debut as a knitwear label. This season’s official theme was “WILD, NOT PURE”, conveying the message that beauty is inherently wild, not simply something pure. Designer Kakan Kudo began creating the collection with a copy of Claude Lévi-Strauss’s “The Savage Mind”, a book she described as a “return to her roots.”

Amid the gentle melody of piano, the first look to appear was a long dress from the “HANDSPAN” series, which has become synonymous with KAKAN. As if surrendering to the music, the model walked leisurely. The suits paired to contrast with the softness of the knitwear and accentuated the contours of the human form, guiding the textural expression of the layered knit fabric into the spotlight.

The zip-up hoodie, knitted from a textured yarn blended with metallic threads, featured a shaggy interior that lent it a rich and elegant look. The outerwear, emblazoned with the sensational message “DO THIS OR DIE” on the back, incorporated bouquets that have appeared numerous times on the runway. Bags from the HANDSPAN series—which debuted through a crowdfunding campaign held in preparation for the show—also graced the runway.

The grand dress that served as the finale was created using a technique where the shape is not decided beforehand, but rather the piece is knitted while engaging in a dialogue with the yarn. As the model walked she slowly let go of the knitwear she was holding, creating a path of knit fabric, visible only for that fleeting moment. Once she had released it all, the model gently blew a kiss to the audience and quietly walked away.

Attendees were given a press release resembling a long letter containing the designer’s thoughts. Each word was written with the same care and unpretentiousness as spinning fine wool by hand into a single thread. These were words born the very morning before the show, freshly minted phrases.

A or B, black or white, for or against. Those in the fashion industry, in particular, may have felt a sense of dissonance toward the modern tendency to reduce everything to binary oppositions. What KAKAN weaves with her own hands is the endearing quality of irregularity. She gently embraces a beauty of gradation that cannot be fully captured by binary thinking.

Partnership Show
“TAIWAN SELECT” (from 1:00 PM) Shibuya Hikarie, Hikarie Hall, Hall B

“TAIWAN SELECT,” a joint fashion show featuring Taiwanese brands organized by the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), was held for the first time at RFWT as a partnership show. This time, three designer teams were featured to present their new collections.

Designer trio PCES presented a playful collection under the theme “there is no party without you,” featuring pieces designed to make the wearer the star of the show. Another team, Yentity, drew inspiration from architectural photography, incorporating architectural elements into the contours of their silhouettes. “I hope the clothes can become like talismans,” commented a Yentity designer. Design team CHIA presented a collection with a touch of melancholy, inspired by a Hong Kong singer and the songs of Akina Nakamori.

“Pays des Fées” (from 2:30 PM) Ginza Lion Classic Hall

The venue chosen for the cute fairies of Pays des Fées to descend was the historic location of Ginza Lion Classic Hall, a registered cultural property constructed before World War II.

These fairies possessed a certain edginess—some adorned with glittering insect wings, others with antennae, and still others wearing flowers upside down. Clad in fancy tweed, colorful velvet, and iridescent organza, not a single fairy shared the same personality.

To mark the brand’s 20th anniversary, they shed new light on their archives by using reproductions of designs that appeared in past seasons. The collection drew inspiration from the animistic and pantheistic worldview found in religious paintings from the 6th to 11th centuries, which the designers encountered in Cappadocia, Turkey. By blending this with “cute” elements, a sense of precariousness emerged within the mystical atmosphere. The finale featured a twin look, with the models meeting with smiles. The reason for choosing this location was that the building held significance as a structure that withstood the fires of World War II. Linking to the collection’s themes of animism and nature worship, it also embodied a heartfelt desire for peace—one that allows us to truly enjoy “cuteness.”

“YUEQI QI” (4:00 PM–) Jiyu Gakuen Asu-kan

This season drew inspiration from “ROSA,” an underground shopping arcade that once existed in Niigata. Rather than seeking to attract attention, the designer took the arcade’s very presence and atmosphere as the starting point, focusing on the craftsmanship that YUEQI QI holds dear. Combining Asian-inspired charm with street-style elements and a vibrant, healthy allure, the collection expressed these qualities through unique graphics and lace. Jewelry and dresses evoked the brand’s journey of growth through the use of the brand’s signature “Love” lace with laser-cut pieces, each a product of painstaking, time-consuming handiwork.

Yueqi Qi’s signature style was defined this season by lingerie-inspired details and elements reminiscent of skiwear and school uniforms. Returning from last season, cat-themed graphics also made an appearance on the runway. The pixel-art black cats and folklore-inspired patterns were exceptionally cute. The models also wore jewels dangling from their eyes and noses, a humorous recreation of anime-style tears or snot.

“ENFÖLD” (from 5:30 PM) Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

ENFÖLD held its first runway show at Rakuten FWT under the theme “Living Sculpture.” The brand incorporated contrasting elements—such as the contraction and release of form, rigidity and flexibility, and stillness and movement—to create designs with structures that seemed to breathe. A key feature seen throughout the collection was a bumpy, rock-like protruding design.

The collection draws inspiration from the pure forms of Constantin Brancusi, the negative space inherent in Mark Manders’ unfinished works, and Isamu Noguchi’s sculptural approach to engaging with space. The collection featured a unique color palette of mint greens and mustards, as well as browns and grape purples, incorporating both autumn and winter hues while still reflecting the brand’s distinct personality. By layering the same materials in different forms or creating minimalist colors paired with bold shapes, the collection portrayed the contradictions within a single woman through a variety of looks. Additionally, a “silent disco” format was adopted with headphones distributed to attendees so they could immerse themselves in the show’s music.

BALLET The New Classic “Living Costumes”

BALLET TheNewClassic launched in 2020 by photographer Yumiko Inoue and ballet dancer Shohei Horiuchi, is currently hosting an event at 8/CUBE 3 on the 8th floor of Shibuya Hikarie, offering a glimpse into a unique world. Clothing by KAKAN and mister it., who will be designing the costumes for the BALLET TheNewClassic 2026 event in July, are now on display.

On the opening day, an installation featuring three dancers took place. Wearing costumes used in past performances, they danced freely as “moving mannequins.” The costumes for this performance were designed by Chika Kisada.

Speaking about this initiative, Mr. Horiuchi said, “Ballet is a comprehensive art form in which music, choreography, costumes, and other elements all come together to create the final performance. We asked the two designers involved in this new project to interpret ballet from a fresh perspective and create costumes based on that interpretation.” The exhibition will run through Wednesday, March 18th.

Dates: Monday, March 16th – Wednesday, March 18th
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on the final day)
Venue: Shibuya Hikarie 8F, 8/CUBE 3
Organizer: BALLET TheNewClassic Executive Committee
Admission: Free
https://www.balletthenewclassic.tokyo/

Berlin Fashion Showcase

As part of the Berlin Fashion X International delegation’s visit to Tokyo (March 15th – 20th), a cocktail reception was held at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Media representatives and buyers attended the event and interacted with designers from 11 carefully selected Berlin-based brands.

Date: Monday, March 16th
Venue: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Organized by: German Fashion Association / Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Supported by: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Berlin

“Fashion tsushin” 40th Anniversary Archive to be held

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Fashion tsushin, and to commemorate the occasion, rare materials such as carefully selected videos from their archives and handwritten scripts will exhibit at Shibuya Hikarie 8/COURT. A different program will be screened each of the three days, so please be sure to stop by when you visit Hikarie. We are also running a campaign at the venue where you can enter a raffle to win original Fashion tsushin merchandise by filling out a survey!

Dates: Monday, March 16th – Wednesday, March 18th
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Shibuya Hikarie 8/ COURT
Organizer: Infas.com Co., Ltd. “Fashion tsushin”
Admission: Free

JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD Collection Exhibition by Two Special Award-Winning Brands

As part of the JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD (NBA)—a brand support program launched by JFWO in 2022—we are currently exhibiting the latest collections from ANNA CHOI and Jun.y (Jun Yamamoto), both of whom were selected for the Special Award as brands with promising future growth potential. ANNA CHOI is unveiling its 2026 AW collection, featuring unique items such as garment-case-style bags. Jun.y has created lamp-shaped art pieces using items from the 2026 AW collection, presenting a fantastical installation. Please be sure to stop by between shows.

Dates: Monday, March 16th – Wednesday, March 18th
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (until 7:00 PM on the final day)
Venue: Shibuya Hikarie 8F, 8/ CUBE 1,2
Organizer: Japan Fashion Week Organization
Admission: Free

2023 Special Award: ANNA CHOI
https://www.instagram.com/maisonannachoi/
2026 Special Award: Jun.y (Jun Yamamoto)
https://www.instagram.com/_jun.y/

Panasonic Garment Steamer Touch & Try

A home garment steamer is a must-have for fashion enthusiasts. A special booth where you can try out the latest model of the Panasonic Garment Steamer is open in the Hall A Foyer through Tuesday, March 17th. Unique features of the Panasonic Garment Steamer will be highlighted, including how to easily remove wrinkles while clothes are still on the hanger. Clothing from brands that won the TOKYO FASHION AWARD 2026 will also be on display.

A giveaway is currently underway at our booth where you can enter a raffle just by posting on social media! Come try out our latest models and be sure to enter the raffle for a chance to win one of the products.

Dates: Monday, March 16th – Tuesday, March 17th
Time: As per the collection schedule
Venue: Shibuya Hikarie, Hikarie Hall, Hall A Foyer
Organizer: Panasonic Corporation
Admission: Free

The official venue for Rakuten FWT 2026 A/W is Shibuya Hikarie

This season’s official venue is Shibuya Hikarie. A video for Rakuten FWT 2026 A/W is playing in the 2nd-floor concourse, so please be sure to check it out when you pass by. Refreshments will be served in the foyer of Hikarie Hall A/B at Shibuya Hikarie after the show.