Wedding dresses featuring the iconic Yumi Line silhouette will be on display at a show in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, on March 5.
12:00 JST, April 27, 2024
Bridal designer Yumi Katsura hosted a fashion show in Tokyo on March 5, unveiling about 70 new pieces decorated with her brand’s signature rose motifs, ahead of the 60th anniversary of her career in bridal wear next year.
Katsura opened Japan’s first bridal specialty store in Tokyo in 1964 and the following year held her first show exclusively for wedding dresses. Since then, she has been a leading figure in the industry. Roses, a symbol of love and beauty, have been a constant in her designs from the start, with embroidery, laces, prints and artificial flowers.
The March 5 show kicked off with a dress featuring Katsura’s signature Yumi Line silhouette. Introduced in 1981, the design, with a slim figure distinguished by its flowing hem, is inspired by a type of kimono with a flared hemline. The show also featured dresses in glamorous all-over lace and dresses decorated with tulle.
A model shows a dress completely decorated with roses, made from leftover fabric.
A dress decorated with delicately embroidered lace evokes a feeling of spring.
Later, dresses decorated with roses were shown on the catwalk, all differing in materials and designs. It took six months to a year to make one pure white dress, decorated with voluminous roses on the shoulders and skirt, and another finished with delicate beading and ruffles. A yellow evening dress with delicately embroidered lace was reminiscent of a blooming field.
A number of suits that met men’s demand for wardrobe changes during wedding functions were also notable at the show. These suits displayed a rich color palette, including grayish pale pink and deep earth tones.
Men’s suits are also featured on the show.
Models in traditional Japanese attire appear in a vehicle with two seats and an umbrella.
A standout piece for her traditional Japanese wedding attire was an uchikake – a long outer garment – decorated with three-dimensional white flowers on the back. The catwalk was enlivened by models appearing in a ‘&brella’, a two-seater vehicle topped with an umbrella. It was developed by Toyota Motor Corp. developed vehicle gave a theatrical touch to the presentation.
The show ended with a beautiful haute couture dress, completely decorated with roses, made from leftover fabric with an eye for the environment.
Bridal fashion designer Yumi Katsura can be seen in the center during the finale of her fashion show.
When Katsura first opened her store, only 3% of brides wore wedding dresses. Now they are well established in Japan, and she advocates the coexistence of both Japanese and Western styles. “Today’s show is a continuation of my daily creative activities,” said the 94-year-old designer. “Next year will be 60 years since I was creative, so I will do my best for that.”
