Japanese fashion designer mixes couture with Japan's own high-tech
invention at the sixth Japan Fashion Week. 

TOKYO, JAPAN (REUTERS) - Welcome to a new phase of fashion show. Japan fashion week is on its
fourth day on Thursday (March 13, 2008), and one Japanese designer revealed
her collection with a high-tech twist.
    What seemed like a white couture dress suddenly turned blue using blue
light-emitting diode often known as LEDs. It is considered a cheaper,
long-lasting and energy efficient alternative to normal light bulbs and is
widely used on displays and lighting.
    "I wanted to illuminate the white dress in pale blue and LED
reflected the perfect amount of wintery light," Ritsuko Kato, designer of
"ELE TRA," proudly told Reuters in midtown Tokyo.
    Kato collaborated with a local installation director in order to find
the best way to light her collection. They experimented with every lighting
possible to create a dreamy and magical atmosphere. After several failed
attempts, the team came up with an idea to wire blue LEDs underneath the white
couture dress.
    Models, including Japanese top model Ai Tobinaga, also shined the
catwalk with pastel-colored dresses, fur boots and even earmuffs. Kato worked
closely with the makeup artists making sure that the models looked like ice
princesses and winter babydolls.
    Light snow and endless applaud from the audience filled the finale as
guests left the high-tech winter wonderland in excitement.
    "I've seen lighted couture dresses at museums before, but nothing
quite like today's. It was amazing!" Risa Takagi, 28, fan of "ELE
TRA" told Reuters.
    Though a total of twelve models in thirty-eight garments strode down
the runway, many guests had only one thing in mind.
   "I thought it was going to be just another couture dress until I
saw the lighting, which really matched the wintery theme," said Akiko
Miwa, 19, still bewitched by the surprise. 
    The first high brightness blue LEDs were invented by a Japanese
engineer at Nichia Corporation in 1993, but most guests had no clue where the
high-tech lighting came from.
    Kato launched her own collection "ELE TRA" last year in order
to introduce a luxury brand for women who are pretty, classy and fashion
conscious. Prior to the launch, she has been working as a chief designer for
various brands including Kate Spade, OLD ENGLAND and TITE of JIONE SHOJI. 

    More than forty designers, including ten newbies, will be presenting
their 2008-2009 autumn and winter collection at the Japan Fashion Week. The
fashion extravaganza will continue throughout the week with a grand finale on
Sunday (March 16, 2008).