Bowie/kansai Display At Edo-tokyo Museum

And so the story goes they wore the clothes…

To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the Edo-Tokyo Museum opened a special exhibition last month entitled Netsuki Shinten: Kansai Genki Shugi (Passionate Exhibit: The Energy Principle of Kansai).

Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto collaborated on the production of the exhibition which explores the impact of traditional culture and Japan?s unique aestheticism using his designs as a starting point.

As you’re most likely aware, some of the very best examples of his work are the stunning stage clothes he made for David Bowie in 1972/73, some of which can be viewed in the breathtaking display (see above…click for larger version) of Kansai Bowie costumes at the exhibition. Here’s a recent quotation from David regarding them.

“The Kansai Yamamoto costume designs that Kansai and I chose for the Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane tours contributed significantly to pushing away from the 60s and for creating new sensibilities for the post-modern 70s. Kansai’s brave ideas brought Japanese clothes design to the forefront of fashion.” – David Bowie 2008

Atsuki Kokoro ten runs until June 6th and if you’re thinking of going along, please let me know, I’d love to get my hands on an exhibition catalogue.