Photographer and fashion lover Mika Ninagawa, whose unique stylings are a huge hit in N.Y., visited the N.Y. Collection as a special ambassador for JFW. Now Ms. Ninagawa is at the event in front of the camera, instead of behind it, as is usually the case. The exciting Spring-Summer 2011 N.Y. Collection is wrapped in a natural and oddly familiar air of nostalgia. The whites, nude beiges, smoky grays, light blues, and fleeting pale tones create a natural ambience. Mika Ninagawa has overwhelming support from designers, artists, curators, fellow photographers, and creators in various fields for her aesthetic sensibility. So, what did she think about the Collection? Mika Ninagawa brings you the latest news from the N.Y. Collection.
Mika Ninagawa loves to use dresses from ANNA SUI. Anna and Mika have known each other for a while and love each other’s work. Mika was visiting to shoot photos of the backstage area, and even though the Collection had just finished, Anna took special time to see Mika. The two had not seen each other for a while and were instantly energized! “Every piece was fabulous, I truly love Anna’s work. The gentle, naturally-colored look makes you feel good just by looking at it."
Mika Ninagawa is a huge fan of DIANE von FURSTENBERG and owns more of her dresses than can be counted. Mika went backstage at the show and was able to speak directly with Diane. And, we found out that Diane likes Mika’s work as well! “It was the first show by the new director Yvan Mispelaere, and I felt like the ladies were portrayed as strong women. They were so cool!!" While maintaining a natural air, Diane’s dresses give girls power and are definitely in for spring and summer.
For the past few seasons, JILLSTUART has continued to move in new creative directions. While retaining the ladylike trend of Fall-Winter, the Spring-Summer Collection shows off a fresh, sporty look with a minimalism that puts you in the “now." Yet, Jill’s creations burst with a femininity all her own, that lies between girlish and womanly. After the backstage photo shoot, the first words from Mika’s lips was “They were so cute!” “I feel like Jill has gotten back to her roots, while at the same time taking it to a more elegant level."
VIVIENNE TAM, who was inspired this year by the people who had travelled along the Silk Road, impressed the crowd with beautiful prints and an Asian feel that only she can create. Compared with this season that focused on dresses, the Spring-Summer Collection contained items that were more wearable, which was exciting for fashionista Mika. “The Asian feel from Vivienne was even more refined and absolutely beautiful! Seeing the show in person lets you enter her world and really feel it for yourself."
Mika Ninagawa
Photographer
Born in Tokyo.Winner of many awards such as the Photograph “Hitotsubo Ten”, Canon New Cosmos of Photography Award, Konica Minolta Photograph Incentive Award, Kimura Ihei Award, and the Ohara Museum of Art Award.Directed the film “Sakuran.” Mika Ninagawa’s private exhibition "The Mika Ninagawa Exhibition - Flowers from Earth, Colors from Heaven" opened at the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery in November 2008. Between 2009 to 2010, it traveled to the Iwate Museum of Art; the Kirishima Open-Air Museum; the Otani Memorial Museum, Nishinomiya City; and The Museum of Art, Kochi.The exhibit brought a record number of visitors to the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery and Kirishima Open-Air Museum, with a total of approx. 180,000 visitors attending.In the fall of 2010, Rizzoli New York published a large photo book containing over 300 of her photographs, which is now on sale worldwide and centered in the US and Europe.
