Tokyo’s Young Designers Dazzle Paris: A “Worlds” of Innovation and Tradition Unveiled

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Tokyo’s Rising Stars Illuminate Paris Fashion Scene with Groundbreaking Showcase

On January 25, 2026, the heart of Paris vibrated with the creative energy of Tokyo’s brightest young fashion talents. Thirteen groups comprising fourteen designers, laureates of the prestigious Next Fashion Designer of Tokyo (NFDT) and Sustainable Fashion Design Award (SFDA) competitions, unveiled their visionary collections at a captivating fashion show held at the iconic Palais de Tokyo in the 16th arrondissement.

This momentous event, part of the Tokyo Young Designers “Paris Fashion Show” Challenge Project, saw a stunning presentation of 75 unique looks. The designers benefited from the invaluable guidance of Kunihiko Morinaga, the acclaimed designer behind ANREALAGE, a brand celebrated for its 11-year, 24-season continuous participation in the official Paris Fashion Week schedule. Morinaga and his show production team, alongside other industry professionals in direction, press, buyer relations, and hair/makeup, meticulously crafted an unforgettable runway experience. The show drew approximately 350 industry insiders, including press and buyers, who lauded the originality of the designers’ material use and conceptual depth.

TOKYO NEW DESIGNERS FASHION SHOW IN PARIS

The show’s central concept, “A WORLDS,” invited attendees to explore not just one world, but also “another world within you.” This philosophical approach underscored the diverse inspirations and introspective journeys woven into each collection.

A WORLDS logo

Meet the Visionary Designers from NFDT:

  • TACKT (Taku Tachizawa): The recipient of the Tokyo Governor’s Award and Grand Prize in the Free Division, TACKT’s 2026FW collection, “Sixteen’s Liberation,” reimagined Japanese school uniforms. It explored the tension between discipline and freedom, deconstructing existing structures to present a world where suppression and liberation coexist.
    TACKT look

  • JUNO MOHRI (Juno Mohri): Also a Tokyo Governor’s Award (Excellence Award) winner in the Free Division, Juno Mohri’s collection emerged from fabrics and buttons found at home. Her creative process, without a fixed theme, allowed shapes to materialize organically, revealing her inner thoughts and current sensibilities. As the designer explains, “For me, creation is also an act of touching upon how the real world is formed and how consciousness and facts interact, deepening that interpretation. While focusing on that essence, I want to gently celebrate the wonder hidden in the in-between.”
    JUNO MOHRI look

  • KANEI (Kanei Yamaoka): A Special Selection Award winner in the Free Division, KANEI’s brand, launched in Autumn/Winter 2025, aims to be a “compass for travelers.” The collection fuses cultural encounters, colors, materials, and artisan craftsmanship into garments that serve as philosophical guideposts for modern adventurers.
    KANEI look

  • MISATO (Misato Hayamizu): Awarded the Tokyo Governor’s Award and Grand Prize in the Inclusive Design Division, MISATO embraces the warmth of handmade creations. Utilizing traditional techniques like needle punch and embroidery, her work evokes a nostalgic innocence, reminding adults of their inner child and offering a gentle escape from life’s pressures.
    MISATO look

  • MABIE (Yumie Matsumoto): The Tokyo Governor’s Award (Excellence Award) winner in the Inclusive Design Division, MABIE’s name derives from the French “ma vie” (my life). The brand aims to be a powerful partner for individuals living their authentic lives, with prints and details expressing inner landscapes and impulses, designed to awaken hidden emotions.
    MABIE look

  • Wakana Abe (Wakana Abe): A Special Selection Award winner in the Inclusive Design Division, Wakana Abe designs garments that breathe in virtual worlds. Her focus is on creating costumes for avatars in 3D metaverse spaces, offering diverse expressions and nuanced designs for different virtual personalities and environments.
    Wakana Abe look

Pioneering Sustainability and Tradition with SFDA Designers:

  • FoLPER (Anonymous): The Tokyo Governor’s Award and Grand Prize winner in the Wear Division, FoLPER’s concept, “For the child who survived,” explores suppressed instincts and pure essences. Through logical interpretation and experimental handcraft, the brand seeks to uncover potential and comfortable dissonance, giving voice to the “surviving child.”
    FoLPER look

  • THE COVER (Ryutaro Akama): A Tokyo Governor’s Award (Excellence Award) winner in the Wear Division, Ryutaro Akama’s brand centers on the theme of “covering,” designing protective wear for both body and spirit. Drawing inspiration from mechanical covers that safeguard fragile internal components, his designs offer unique fashion that reflects personal experiences and sensations.
    THE COVER look

  • PERFUMA (Kana Tamura): Also a Tokyo Governor’s Award (Excellence Award) winner in the Wear Division, PERFUMA expresses the intangible “fragrance” – the atmosphere and worldview – through clothing. The brand reinterprets traditional Japanese elements and materials with a modern sensibility, creating garments that blur the lines between reality and fantasy, transforming the ambiance of a space.
    PERFUMA look

  • ŌNAMENT (Hazuki Akashio & Mumu Iwama): Special Selection Award winners in the Wear Division, ŌNAMENT explores the “ever-changing femininity.” Named after ornaments that enhance a woman’s charm, the brand proposes feminine fashion that celebrates and evolves with women’s daily beauty, seeking fresh aesthetics together.
    ŌNAMENT look

  • Q+FLOW (Rumie Suenaga): The Tokyo Governor’s Award and Grand Prize winner in the Fashion Goods Division, Q+FLOW is a Made in Japan bag and accessory brand utilizing domestic materials and Japanese craftsmanship. The brand’s philosophy, born from the designer’s desire to constantly question and seek (Self-Questioning, Quest) and grow within the larger societal flow, aims for societal contribution and a better cycle. For this show, costumes were created from leftover leather from bag production.
    Q+FLOW look

  • YUI OBICORSET (Nao Saruta): The Tokyo Governor’s Award (Excellence Award) winner in the Fashion Goods Division, YUI OBICORSET is driven by an “obsession with beauty.” The brand merges traditional Japanese obi with Western corsets, creating a silhouette that cinches without constriction. It aims to make cultural heritage accessible for everyday wear, bringing a resurgence of Japonism and empowering women to embrace their own aesthetics.
    YUI OBICORSET look

  • AYAMI (Ayami Nishiyoshi): A Special Selection Award winner in the Fashion Goods Division, AYAMI revives dormant kimonos in modern Japan. By highlighting the hidden charms of kimono, such as the unseen reverse side of obis or fabrics woven with advanced Japanese textile technology, the brand breathes new life into these traditional garments, creating a cycle of inheritance that spreads Japanese charm globally.
    AYAMI look

Tokyo’s Grand Vision for Global Fashion

This project is a cornerstone of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s broader initiative to position Tokyo as a global fashion hub, standing alongside cities like Paris, Milan, New York, and London. The NFDT and SFDA competitions, judged by leading Japanese designers such as ANREALAGE’s Kunihiko Morinaga and CFCL’s Yusuke Takahashi, are crucial in nurturing the next generation of talent.

Kunihiko Morinaga portrait

“The creativity and potential showcased by these young designers in Paris were truly inspiring,” remarked one industry observer. “It’s a testament to Tokyo’s commitment to fostering a diverse and innovative fashion landscape.”

In line with Tokyo’s 2050 strategy for a “symbiotic society” and “zero emission,” both NFDT and SFDA integrate inclusive and sustainable perspectives. NFDT features an Inclusive Design Division for garments designed with disabled individuals in mind, emphasizing adaptability to diverse values and physical conditions. SFDA focuses on reconstructing traditional Japanese materials and techniques, like kimono fabrics, with contemporary design, promoting not just industry growth but also contributing to SDGs and sustainability efforts.

Explore More and Connect with the Designers:

For more details on the designers and their brands, visit the official Instagram accounts:

Official Websites:

Tokyo’s proactive support for its young designers on the international stage is a clear signal of its dedication to shaping the future of global fashion. By providing opportunities in world-class venues like Paris, Tokyo is not only nurturing new talent but also enriching the global fashion dialogue with its unique blend of innovation, tradition, and a deep commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. The journey of these designers in Paris marks a significant step towards Tokyo achieving its ambition as a leading fashion capital, bringing a fresh, diverse, and distinctly Japanese perspective to the world stage. The future of kawaii fashion, reimagined through bold new lenses, looks brighter than ever.

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Japan, often seen as a country that seamlessly integrates tradition and technology, is a region full of rich culture and technological advancements. It is continuously evolving and propelling towards progress, which has been evident in the latest news emerging from the country. We delve deeper into some of these fascinating developments happening in all facets of Japanese society.

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