The annual Japan Fashion Week was cancelled because of the series of unfortunate events that have happened in Japan. This year’s fashion week was supposed to take place from March 21st to 25th. It should have showcased the fall and winter collections of 2011. However, the domino events of the earthquake and tsunami has canceled the runway shows.
Although Tokyo, the fashion capital of Asia, is not directly affected; buildings and factories which also include couture houses were shut down due to the fear of diminishing the electrical supply and for the very likely black-outs. There’s also the issue of fear and transportation problems. There will surely be a low number of attendees if the Fashion Week was pushed through. Furthermore, Japan is not on the verge of recuperating hence they are putting the Fashion Week as the least of their concerns right now.
Instead of gearing up to continue the fashion shows in Tokyo, designers’ efforts were geared towards helping others in big ways. Uniqlo, a clothing brand, has reportedly donated $25.6 million in cash and clothes to Japanese Red Cross Society, with almost half the money coming from the CEO. While designers and other fashion fans are helping in some big ways as well.
But fashion continues to live despite the calamity. Japanese designers and producers will post their Fall/Winter 2011 collections via web or other informal ways of presenting them to the buyers worldwide.
Every business in Japan has been crippled in some way by the natural disaster and that includes the fashion industry. Aside from the cancellation of the Fashion shows, there are also textile factories, fashion houses and stores which are shut down.
