KANSAI YAMAMOTO Collection 2021
On March 15, during Shibuya Fashion Week 2021, “KANSAI YAMAMOTO”, one of Japan’s most famous fashion designers, with the support of Empire, staged the world’s first ever runway show at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing.
The creative team of Quenta Takaya, a long-time student of the pioneering and recently departed fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, played a central role in creating the collection. In addition to archived pieces from the “KANSAI YAMAMOTO” collection, the show also showcased the new collection “TOMORROW”. Combining the essence of Shibuya and artist Taro Okamoto’s greatest mural, Myth of Tomorrow, illustrating the tragedies of the atomic bomb explosion, this new collection conveyed the tremendous energy of human strength and pride.
"March this year marks 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, our recovery of everyday life from the COVID pandemic since last year, and our new voyage after Kansai’s passing. We instilled our hope for tomorrow in many levels in creating clothes with the image of people coming and going through Shibuya." - Quenta Takaya
The show featured numerous celebrity appearances including musician/actor MIYAVI, dancer/actor Kaiji Moriyama, make-up artist Kodo Nishimura, and many more.
Empire was honored to support in the production of this amazing runway show, continuing our long-standing relationship with “KANSAI YAMAMOTO” as they push the boundaries of both fashion and entertainment.
Watch the show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv7o22Sk8bk
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
