Japan, the world's most fashion-hungry nation, still goes loopy for European superbrands -- but Tokyo-based creators are bravely fighting back, trying to claim a slice of the fame, glamour and glory through their own homegrown labels.
Following hot on the (high) heels of the 10-day Paris pret-a-porter catwalk shows, comes the more amorphous, five-week fashionista lovefest that is known as the Tokyo Collections for Autumn/Winter 2003/2004.
Though insiders enthuse over soaring standards of creativity and quality, there is frustration in the wider fashion world over the incoherent schedule of more than 50 presentations in scattered venues that make Tokyo's twice-yearly collections virtually impossible to navigate for foreign buyers and journalists.