Michiko London 30th Anniversary – Video & Harajuku Popup Shop

Michiko Koshino is a legend in the Japanese fashion world. She grew up in a family which made kimono for generations. In the 1934, her mother Ayako broke with tradition and opened her own dressmaking shop. Michiko and her two sisters – Hiroko and Junko – grew up in the shop, an experience that would lead each of them to become a famous fashion designer. Michiko’s story, though, is very different from that of her sisters.

Michiko didn’t plan to be a fashion designer so she didn’t attend fashion school. She played semi-professional tennis instead. In the 1970s, without knowing much English, she left Japan for London. Michiko quickly made friends with a group of London artists, musicians, and designers who would change the world with their creative vision in the 1980s. Michiko officially launched her label Michiko London in 1986. Her bomber jackets, inflatable cat jackets, and other original pieces quickly became icons on the booming 1980s London club scene. She’s created club- and street-inspired fashion ever since.

More than forty years after leaving Japan without fashion design training or English language proficiency, Michiko Koshino is recognized as one of the most influential Japanese designers of her generation. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions of 1980s fashion, including a show at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Countless 1980s musicians – including David Bowie – were fans of her work. She was the first ever Japanese fashion designer to become an accredited member of the British Fashion Council.

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Michiko London label, Michiko Koshino will host a popup shop at LaForet Harajuku from March 4th through March 17th. The popup shop will feature limited edition reissues from her 1980s and 1990s design archive as well as several new items. Michiko will be at the shop in person on most days, meeting with fans and talking with customers. Follow Michiko Koshino on Instagram for pictures and updates.

Click on any Michiko Koshino photo to enlarge it.

Details of the popup shop

What: Michiko London 30th Anniversary Popup Shop
Where: LaForet Harajuku, First Floor
When: March 4th – 17th
Who: Michiko Koshino will be at the shop most afternoons/evenings

Lookbook credits

Fashion & Styling: Michiko Koshino
Photographs: Alex Fakso
Models: Miho, Maho, SXK