On June 28th, within the framework of the class Japanese Art and Design, we visited Ginza Motoji, a kimono retailer, working closely with textile artisans. At Motoji, the students had the opportunity to not only learn about how kimono and their textiles are made, but they also had the chance to see and touch many different types of textiles up close.
Ginza Motoji has been active in working as a bridge connecting artisans and customers, through conveying stories of making processes, introducing the people behind the textiles, and the work and effort that goes into creating these textiles. In doing so, they invite many artisans to talk about their work at the store, and they have taken up different collaborations with artisans to develop a new and more contemporary image of kimono and kimono textiles.
One of the latest projects that Ginza Motoji has taken up was a collaboration between an Amami Oshima dyer and a weaver, making use of different types of base colours, to develop different hues of black and create new expressions of dorozome and Amami Oshima weaves. They presented the collaboration through an exhibition of which you can find more information here. GFC had the chance to visit the opening night of the exhibition in Tokyo, which brought together many textile designers and kimono lovers. We are excited to see what future endeavors Ginza Motoji will undertake!
The Global Fashion Concentration (GFC) has been founded for students who wish to gain their MA in fashion and textile studies in English. It strives to bridge theory and practice within a global context with a focus on fashion related art and design. As the course is based in Japan, there are classes offered on Japanese aesthetics and language. An array of trans-disciplinary subjects related to fashion are offered. The core subject of the GFC, titled "Project Research", is led by specialists and industry counterparts and is designed to allow students to develop their individual research proposals both in practice and theory. Students will have access to Bunka’s celebrated fashion library and world-class fashion museum for research and inspiration. Additionally, internships at high profile Japanese brands such as Anrealage, as well as the National Art Center enable students to implement real world connections between concept and practical knowledge. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete either a full Master’s thesis, or a collection.
In 2016, GFC launched a double degree program with the prestigious Parisian design school École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD). Students enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to present their MA project at the ENSAD final collection show and exhibition in Paris.
GFC is a concentrated program: Excellence in creation and skill as well as strong motivation, commitment and patience will be required. Successful graduates will be candidates for employment in all areas and levels of the fashion industry across the world, including design, journalism, fashion buying, curation, and academia.
View all posts by bunkaglobalfashion
bunkaglobalfashion.com 