A fashion show celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Japan recently took place in Istanbul, featuring a combination of traditional kimonos and contemporary designs.
The "Turkish-Japanese Fashion Show", organized by Dr. Sumiyo Okumura, a historian of Turkish and Islamic art, on February 8, aimed to highlight cultural exchanges between the two countries and strengthen diplomatic relations that have just passed the 100th anniversary since their establishment (August 6, 1924).
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| Türkiye-Japan fashion show to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations on the evening of February 8 in Istanbul. (Source: Anadolu) |
Cultural influence in fashion
Overseeing the preparation, costume selection and cultural inspiration, Sumiyo Okumura highlighted the profound historical influence of both countries on European art and fashion.
“The Ottoman Empire had a significant impact, especially in Eastern Europe, from the 16th to the 18th centuries,” she notes. This is reflected in “miniatures and engravings showing pashas wearing Ottoman imperial dress (Ottoman caftans). Similarly, after the 18th century, the Japanese always wore traditional kimonos.”
Ms. Sumiyo pointed out that Türkiye and Japan played an important role in shaping European fashion before the adoption of Western styles, also known as the “Westernization era”.
“When we entered this period, we moved from kimono to dresses, and you moved from caftan to casual wear. But with this fashion show, I wanted to emphasize that we still preserve our culture and traditions."
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| Dr. Sumiyo Okumura emphasized the important role of Türkiye and Japan in shaping European fashion before entering the “era of Westernization”. (Source: Anadolu) |
More than a year of preparation
Sumiyo said it took nearly a year and a half to select the costumes. The show featured six traditional Japanese kimonos alongside modern designs by Yohji Yamamoto, showcasing the evolution of Japanese fashion while maintaining its traditional identity.
Referring to the cultural similarities between the two countries, she also pointed out differences such as, Turkey “is a country where horse riding is popular, so your clothes are shorter. However, in Japan, people are more involved in farm work, so they wear simpler and more practical clothes."
Recalling the deep bond between the two countries, she added, “we are at the opposite ends of Asia, the East and the West. We may be far apart, but we share a bond like brothers and sisters.”
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| Türkiye-Japan fashion show to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations. (Source: Anadolu) |
Share common values
When asked about the common values between the two cultures, Ms. Sumiyo pointed out that it was respect. "In Japan, we also highly value respect - whether it is towards parents, friends or others. I believe that this value still exists in both our countries."
According to her, Turks are becoming more knowledgeable about Japanese culture, but there are still some misconceptions. "Nowadays, everyone knows what sushi is. People go out to eat sushi. They also know about kimono. Unfortunately, when they think of kimono, they often imagine something like a bathrobe. But that is not the case at all."
Ms. Sumiyo hopes that the fashion show celebrating this special milestone in bilateral relations will bring about a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and how the country has preserved its traditions against Western influences.
Some pictures at the event:
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Source: https://baoquocte.vn/100-nam-quan-he-ngoai-giao-nhat-ban-tho-nhi-ky-qua-lang-kinh-thoi-trang-303744.html
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