On March 24th (Fri.), the fifth day of the Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO 2017 A/W term, at Shibuya Hikarie, a tripartite meeting between the top of Amazon Fashion, IMG Fashion, and the Japan Fashion Week Organization, was realized for the first time.
From Amazon Fashion, the title sponsor of Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO, the Vice President, Mr. James Peters, from IMG Fashion, involved in the operation of fashion weeks around the world including the sponsorship of Tokyo fashion week, the Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Ms. Catherine Bennett, and Masahiko Miyake, the Board Chairperson of the Japan Fashion Week Organization, got together to speak of their aspirations towards Tokyo’s fashion week and the market, and of future developments.

Amazon Fashion
Vice President
Mr. James Peters
I’m very pleased with the results of the “AT TOKYO” program, which we executed this season.
I had an opportunity to speak to guests, designers, the media, customers and they all seemed to enjoy the program.
Three brands with completely different concepts and appeal were selected for the “AT TOKYO” program. “GROWING PAINS” by Yulia, presented a show of cutting-edge fashion; “BEDWIN & THE HEARTBREAKERS” by Masashi Watanabe, presented a show of powerful street-fashion distinctive of Tokyo; and “House_Commune” by Mihoko Shitanaka, presented an elegant and beautiful collection. We selected three completely dissimilar brands because the customers of Amazon Fashion all have varying tastes, along with different styles. I am very happy that we were able to create this special program as part of Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO. We hope to continue such endeavors from here on, and we intend to provide continued support to three more newly selected brands, in addition to the three brands selected this season.

IMG Fashion
Senior Vice President and Managing Director
Ms. Catherine Bennett
It has been three years since my last visit to Tokyo Fashion Week, and I feel very honored that you have prepared such a welcoming experience for me.
I think the Tokyo market, inclusive of fashion week, has evolved and thrived significantly in the past three year. Especially in this season’s fashion week, I feel a new energy and continued growth. Thanks to the help of Amazon Fashion, I strongly feel a connection between Fashion Week and Tokyo. It was wonderful to see Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo grow into a large scaled event with 52 brands participating, thanks to the powerful partnership with Amazon Fashion and continued efforts of JFWO.
In recent years, we have seen significant changes at New York Fashion Week: The Shows. Designers are trying out various forms of presentations in effort to involve consumers in their brand’s story; this is a trend seen in all fashion cities. IMG Fashion continues to strive to offer opportunities that best fit the designer or brand’s needs, and I am confident that Tokyo Fashion Week will also offer that opportunity alongside the guidance of Amazon Fashion and JFWO.

Japan Fashion Week Organization
Board Chairperson
Masahiko Miyake
First, I would like to thank you both for coming.
At JFWO, this season we are executing measures with a special emphasis on “BtoC” and the “nurturing of young generations”.
As BtoC measures, there is “TOKYO BOX”, an event in which general guests can see collection shows and purchase items on-the-spot. Outside the runway also, there is the “SAVE THE ENERGY PROJECT” in which products of energy conservation x fashion can be purchased, a collaboration party with ELLE café inviting general guests, and furthermore, tonight there will be a party open to the public, held in collaboration with the WEB magazine, honeyee.com. I am hopeful that the acknowledgement level of Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO has improved by involving the public. We intend to assertively continue such BtoC measures from here on.
As for nurturing young generations, we have been executing the “TOKYO FASHION AWARD” for three years now. I think the cycle of opening a showroom in Paris twice a year, and holding a triumphant return event during the March Fashion Week term, has taken root in the fashion industry. Furthermore, award winners are demonstrating their capability overseas by, for example, being nominated for the LVMH PRIZE. I hope this will continue to be an award that generates Tokyo brands with capabilities to be globally active.

TRANSLATION by Aiko Osaki