Rei Shito: Return To The Runway

For such an eventful year, there sure has been a lack of events – at least a lack of ones where the stage wasn’t a computer screen, and the concession stand wasn’t our kitchen. However, in some places where the situation is stable and the statistics are promising, real-life events have been able to resume, albeit in modified form.

That was the case with Tokyo’s Rakuten Fashion Week, which was held in October as a part-digital, part-in-person event with appropriate social distancing and safety measures in place. In attendance at this long-awaited return to the runway was our fashion correspondent – and renowned style photographer – Rei Shito. Here she shares her favourite looks spotted among the trendsetting crowd.

“This is Takuya Morikawa, the designer behind Taakk, which is one of Japan’s most important up-and-coming brands to watch. I grabbed this shot of him taking a break after his show, wearing – appropriately enough – a shirt from his own collection, featuring a graphic print of a rose. The balance between the modest graphic and the relaxed silhouette is perfect.

“I spotted this man as he was arriving at the Taakk show; he’s a staff member of Barneys New York, and he’s sporting the label Jil Sander. His olive green turtleneck is a welcome accent to his black-and-white look, as is the red bag he happens to be holding in his hand.

“I captured this pic of model Chiaki after the meanswhile show. Her white Margiela Tabi boots and the white of her T-shirt peeking out add a sense of freedom to the casual sweatshirt and denim style. It’s a level of attention to detail that lets you know you’re dealing with an expert fashionista.

“I had the opportunity to take this picture after the Facetaasm show. The man on the left, Go-kun, is wearing a suit by Maison Martin Margiela and has a knit sweater by Peter Do draped over his shoulders to soften the stiffness and formality of the suit. The man on the right, hair and make-up artist Nara, is sporting a mask holder – which is becoming a popular new accessory in Japan lately.

“After the Mikio Sakabe show at Miyashita Park, I caught up with model Minor, shining bright in a sequined top from H&M Studio. The colour combination of silver, brown and Bordeaux is so beautiful!”

About Rei Shito

Each month, Rei Shito identifies one defining look that she’s spotted on the street, whether at home in Japan or abroad on her latest trip to the world’s fashion hotspots, providing readers with a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on current trends. Rei is acclaimed as one of the planet’s most original and influential street style photographers and fashion bloggers, publishing her work on her blog Style from Tokyo, as well as several magazines in Japan and overseas, such as vogue.com.
[Portrait Rei: Jun Tamura]