At the beginning of the new millennium Japan is Asia's fashion ground zero, a place where street fashion in its myriad forms is helping inspire a new generation of young designers.
One such newcomer to Japan's fashion ranks is Juro Mimori, whose Mimori brand was presented at last November's Tokyo collections for the third time.
"My design policy is based on two themes," Mimori said in a recent interview. "One is minimalism, and the other is a sophisticated look." Mimori's minimalism is expressed through simple and unfussy lines, and his sophistication through the use of high-tech fabrics developed together with Toray, one of Japan's leading textile manufacturers.