And the story continues....

with this post.

I first saw Bunka Fashion College in an ad from the pages of So-En, a magazine published by Bunka. (ca. 1975)

While planning this trip, I included a trip to Bunka as a "must" on my to-do/ to-visit list. I've always been fascinated with Japanese design and Japanese designers (Rei, Yohji, Issey, Takada Kenzo, Junya, Kansai etc.) and Bunka, being an institution in Japanese design education, made me decide to see for myself how such environment nurtures and helps with the establishment of the next big name in Japanese fashion industry, if not the world.

A peek inside Bunka.

Close-up of the mural "painting" made from marble...

...and the book where the "painting" came from.

And now sample works from students of Bunka.

I can't help but marvel looking at these pieces. Well, they may not be considered as "wearable" but in Japan anything goes.

One thing that I've noticed is that Japanese are keen in using various techniques with their designs as seen with these pieces:

I particularly like this piece. Its like 50 yards of jersey that's been ruched and shirred!

Dare to wear?

I even saw this art piece. "In the Evening ", a sculpture by the artist Erte.

Fell in love with this metal sculpture, artist unknown. (There's a detail but in Japanese.)

Sample accessories designed and crafted by students of Bunka.

I just love this skeletal piece. I think its made of wood.

I call this "The Orbit".

These gloves are just wicked!!!

While this bag reminds me of "Alice Liddell on an Acid Trip"!

And this pair of Kabuki-inspired shoes are just funky!!!

Of course, there's the bag.....LOTs of those!!!

A few of my favorites:

Needless to say, I left Bunka VERY VERY INSPIRED!!! ;)

Japan Day 1: Shibuya Pt. 1

I arrived in Tokyo that Wednesday night and after doing my immigration and custom duties I made my way to the ticket booth to buy ticket en route for the place where I'm about to stay. Since its getting a bit late, I made a phone call to tell the hotel that I'll be arriving a bit later that evening. The people at Koyo (the place where I stayed) were so kind to give me instructions as to how to get to their place. But since I'm terrible with directions (sorry) I had a bit of a hard time finding the place. Thank God for the people I met (especially "Ate Ericka", the Filipina I met inside the train who instructed me which train to ride and which station to stop) and "Jean Pierre" and his wife who walked with me through the streets of Tokyo in order to find Koyo. Not long enough I was able to reach Koyo where Bobby (the guy I spoke with) was waiting. After he gave me a brief about the hostel, he lead me to my room. Feeling so tired I wasn't able to sort my stuff and just sleep instead. After making my payment that same morning, I decided to return to my room and sleep a bit more. ( was just too tired) Woke up at 10 and thought of going to Bunka Fashion School to check their exhibit. Took this photo of Hotel Koyo before I left.

I actually planned of riding the bike going around Tokyo but that didn't pushed through.

Getting around Tokyo is easy as they have an impressive rail system. But it could be a bit tricky as most of the signs are in Japanese. Well that's fine as I consider it part of my learning experience. Its also worth noting that not all trains go the same route so in order to go to Bunka Gakuen (which is in Shibuya) I made a stop at Nippori from Minami-Senju for my train to Shibuya.

Scenes from the busy Shibuya Station.

The Olympus Building.

The high end shopping mall Lumine with its quirky architecture.

Scenes while on transit.

All roads lead to Bunka.

Found this old globe near the Bunka building.

Stay tuned for Part 2: At Bunka.

Hello!

A lot had happened since my last post and I'm happy to report that the Japan trip pushed through despite a few minor troubles (YEY!) and that I managed to accomplish most of the things on my list (more on that later.)Again, thank you to the people who without their help the trip won't be possible. (You know who YOU are. :) For now let me begin by chronicling with my travel en route to Japan via Cathay Pacific. I left Manila on a fairly good Wednesday morning...

And had a stop over at Hong Kong International Airport. After a few minutes with the customs who checked my belongings and a series of what I'd call as "maze", I managed to locate the lobby where I saw this exhibit!

Apart from the comfort of HK International Airport, I didn't feel bored. Well, actually as long as there's something art or fashion related,that's enough to keep me occupied. Part of the exhibit are old things such as this old "rick-shaw".

And old fashion plates/ photos of women in old Hong Kong.

Felt so inspired just by looking at them. More on my tripl ater. ;)

Tokyo Daydreams Pt.2

Here are other things that I would like to do during my Tokyo trip. Visit the Hachiko "monument" in Shibuya.

Visit the Taschen store in Ginza because I JUST LOVE TASCHEN! ^_^ (Photo Source)

Meet designer Madame Hanae Mori (who's one of this year's judges)...

...and have her sign this. (From So-En Magazine, 1975)

Well I barely have a week from now and it seems there are still a LOT of things to do. sigh!