Last week I had the privilege of participating in the German Fashion Council's delegation trip to Tokyo – a five-day mix of workshops and our own Berlin showroom. It was an exciting week full of learning, new impressions, and insightful conversations.
Day 1 began with a session on Japanese business culture and communication led by Justine Toshi Konagai, who provided valuable insights into cultural nuances that shape professional exchange.
The highlight of the day was the official opening of the Berlin showroom. The evening began with speeches by Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the Fashion Council Germany, and Petra Sigmund, the German Ambassador to Japan, who set the tone for meaningful dialogue and international cooperation.
Day 2 took us deeper into Tokyo's fashion scene. We began at gr8, where Mr. Yoshimasa explained the store's approach and the dynamics of retail in Tokyo. In the afternoon, we returned to the Berlin showroom for press and buyer meetings, presented our collections, and exchanged ideas with industry professionals from Japan and beyond. We ended the day with a dinner hosted by Kozue at her family restaurant, Chiyonofuji Chanko, featuring a traditional menu and inspiring conversation.
Day 3 took us to Isetan Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's leading department stores. Led by Shihoko Okuda, we explored the store's curatorial approach and its fusion of Japanese craftsmanship with global design perspectives. Later, we had the pleasure of meeting the editorial team of WWD Japan at their Berlin showroom. We discussed the evolving Japanese media landscape, fashion reporting, and international storytelling within the industry.
Day 4 began at Takashimaya, where menswear buyer Shuhei Iwasa introduced us to the Japanese approach to trading, curating, and menswear. Afterwards, we met with Arashi Yanagawa, founder and designer of John Lawrence Sullivan, whose thoughts on brand identity, craftsmanship, and Tokyo's creative culture sparked a lively exchange. We concluded the day with a PR workshop at Sakas PR, where we gained valuable insights into PR practices and the dynamics of the Japanese media landscape.
Friday was dedicated to brand and store visits, curated by Northliberty Inc. We began at ESTNATION Roppongihills, whose name, "Nation of the East," embodies its commitment to craftsmanship, aesthetic refinement, and the dynamic energy of Tokyo. From there, we continued our journey to RESTIR to gain insights into their approach to luxury retail and thoughtful brand selection, before heading to Dover Street Market Ginza for a deeper look at one of Tokyo's most influential concept stores. In the afternoon, we visited BED JW FORD for an inspiring conversation with the designer about craftsmanship and creative direction, and concluded the day at eyewear label BLANC, where the founder shared insights into the company's design philosophy and production processes.
Photos by Ko Tsuchiya
