Comme des Garcons: When Fashion meets Japan
Comme des Garcons, a Japanese fashion brand founded in 1969, has been gaining popularity worldwide for its unique and avant-garde designs. The brand's founder, Rei Kawakubo, has been known for challenging the conventional norms of fashion through her unconventional designs. Comme des Garcons has become an epitome of Japanese fashion that has inspired many designers around the world.
The brand draws inspiration from Japanese culture, art, and architecture. The trademark of Comme des Garcons is its asymmetrical and oversized designs, inspired by the traditional Japanese kimono. Their use of black and white colors reflects the minimalist Japanese aesthetics. Comme des Garcons' partnership with Nike has also resulted in some of the most iconic sneakers, adding a touch of Japanese design to the global sneaker culture.
Windows Phone: A Japanese innovation
Microsoft's Windows Phone, released in 2010, had a unique design and interface inspired by Japanese design elements. The phone had a"live tile" design, where all the apps would update in real-time and display information on the home screen, making it more interactive. The concept of "glance and go" design of Windows Phone was aimed to simplify the user experience, inspired by the Japanese concept of "Ma" –the art of balance and emptiness.
Windows Phone's camera app was also inspired by the Japanese "sumi-e" ink painting, where the user could capture a picture in black and white with a simple swipe on the screen. The phone's typography and font design were based on Japanese calligraphy. Although the phone didn't gain much popularity, it was praised for its innovative design and the incorporation of Japanese design elements that added a unique touch to the global smartphone industry.
Cosme De Namie: The Japanese secret to a brighter complexion
Cosme De Namie is Japan's prestigious beauty award ceremony that recognizes the best skincare and makeup products. One of the most coveted categories is "Best Whitening Products," as Japanese society values fair, bright, and luminous skin. The Japanese beauty regimen emphasizes the importance of bright and translucent skin, which is achieved through effective and gentle skincare products.
Japan is renowned for its groundbreaking skincare innovations, such as the introduction of "double cleansing," using cleansing oil followed by foam cleanser, and sheet masks. Japanese brands like SK-II, Shiseido, and Cosme Decorte have gained worldwide recognition for their effective and safe whitening products that cater to a range of skin tones and types. The incorporation of natural ingredients like sake, sakura, and yuzu, adds an extra touch of traditional Japanese skincare to these products.
In conclusion
Comme des Garcons, Windows Phone, and Cosme De Namie are distinct Japanese innovations that embody the Japanese design philosophy of simplicity, balance, and innovation. These innovations have influenced and inspired the global fashion, technology, and beauty industry, adding a touch of Japanese culture to the products we use and love.
