Japan Fashion Week officially starts in midtown Tokyo showcasing autumn and winter collections from over forty brands.

 TOKYO, JAPAN (MARCH 10, 2008) (REUTERS) - Japan Fashion Week officially kicked off on Monday (March 10) in midtown Tokyo with seven Japanese designers revealing their 2008-2009 autumn and winter collections. It is the sixth fashion week in Japan - the first was held in 2005 - and showcases more than forty brands, including ten new Japanese designers.

Among the seven shows which hit the catwalk was a collection by Japanese designer Hidenobu Yasui. He kicked off the fashion week with his new collection 'Where Is The Truth?', about breaking the borderline between shirts, skirts, dresses and even suits. Models sauntered down the catwalk in draped dresses as well as in mannish suits.

This was Yasui's first show at Japan Fashion Week after returning from London last summer to start a new phase as an up and coming Japanese designer. According to the organisers of Japan Fashion Week, there has been growing interest among young designers seeking participation in the event. Like Yasui, many of them are called 'U-turners' - returning to Japan after pursuing fashion abroad.

"I don't use kimonos and other traditional Japanese fabric to express tradition. Instead, I add my own Japanese interpretation of Western clothing to create a new tradition," said Yasui after the show.

More than five hundred models and stylists have been recruited from across Japan and abroad for the fashion extravaganza. Many of them are industry rookies just like numerous other young designers.

Top Japanese model Anne Watanabe led Minoru Adachi's Mode Acote collection followed by models striding in silky black skirts and black leather boots. Adachi's collection dazzled the audience using a variety of elements and contrasts.

"The theme for this collection is noir or black. I mixed different black fabrics, texture and lighting in order to show the variation of the gorgeous colour," Japan Fashion Week veteran Adachi told Reuters. He has been at the forefront of fashion week in Japan since its start in October 2005.

Adachi launched his own brand 'Mode Acote' twelve years ago after participating in design works for Joseph, Workers for Freedom in London and Barneys New York's own brand. His collection has already been introduced in Paris, New York and other Asian countries.

Japan Fashion Week ends with a finale on Sunday (March 16). More than forty thousand Japanese and international visitors and buyers are expected during the event.