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One late afternoon a few days ago, I met up with my friend Amelia Arsenic, to check out the “30 Years of Japanese Fashion” exhibit at the Barbican Centre in London. It centered around the original 3 Japanese Avant Garde designers: Issey Miyaki, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawabuto (Commes des Garçons) and expanded from their influence into current Japanese pop-fashion.

Actually, it took us about 15 minutes to find each other. Alcuin and I got a little lost because the Barbican Centre is huge! We ended up at the main door of the exhibit, but Amelia had actually been waiting at the main entrance. After some texts and phone calls, we found one another (yay!)

I really loved how the exhibition was displayed. However, we weren’t allowed to take any pictures so you must make do with the official pictures provided.

I appreciated that the main focus of the exhibition was on Japanese high-fashion as opposed to the now, more popular, subculture fashion. It definitely explored the connection between the two, but also went in depth with the inspiration behind the 3 pioneering designers, their proteges, and their lasting influences.

There were also some various short films shown with interviews of the designers. I was really inspired and amazed with Yohji Yamamoto’s perception and inspiration for making clothing. More over, I was even more impressed with Rei Kawakubo. Having been familiar with CDG as a Japanese brand, I was ignorant that it was created by a Japanese Woman. Though it may seem silly to some, being a Japanese woman in the 60′s with an international fashion house is a rarity.

Adding to the 3 main designers, there was an explanation and breakdown of how each designer mentored the second Japanese designer generation such as: Kenzo Takada (Kenzo), Jun Takahashi, and Junya Watanabe.

For any of you who are in the London area who are interested in this exhibit, it will be on until February 6, 2011. You can find more information here: http://www.barbican.org.uk

After mucking about the gift shop for all of 10 minutes due to the early closing hours that day, Amelia took Alcuin and myself to eat in Soho! It was exciting for me because I’ve actually never eaten at a restaurant in London with the exception of Fish & Chips shops.

We actually ended up going to a pop-up restaurant called Franny’s in Soho. It was a nice and cheap italian restaurant that boasted 1/2 drink prices before 7PM and very good food for the price!

The waiter/host actually remembered Amelia (who wouldn’t?) and sat us down really quickly. It was a really nice sort of place and warm!! It had become quite windy outside so I was rather chilled to the bone. All three of us joked about how wimpy we all were against the cold since we all come from warm climates, us from Los Angeles, Amelia from Australia.

Amelia was actually really hungry. She ordered some really awesome looking appetizers – calamari, chips (fries), and some lasange (lasanga). Actually, she didn’t finish it all!!

Alcuin and I split some goat cheese and sundried tomato bruchetta and some peri peri chicken penne! Of course, Franny’s is by no means a “fancy place” but it’s a very nice casual dinner place with cheap food options. And if you’re like me (earning in US DOLLARS) paying a total of £30 ($47) for a light 3-person dinner, including drinks, that’s pretty amazing for London.

After dinner, Amelia took us to this really cool cheesy metal pub/bar called Garlic And Shots. It was apparently opened by two Sweedish brothers, and the entire menu has garlic in everything! Tess, you must go eat at this place, not for the atmosphere, but for the garlic.

Amelia ordered us some “blood shots” which is composed of tomato, garlic, vodka, and CHILLI SPICE! It was a really interesting taste, after I got over the initial shock of the chilli, not that I didn’t like it, I just wasn’t expecting it! We hung out and gabbed the rest of the night to some lemonade (sprite in the US) & vodka drinks. It was really nice catching up with Amelia, whom I haven’t seen since August (?).

We did end up having to cut out at about 11ish since we had to catch an early train back to our room. But It’s been quite nice being able to meet up with friends (when the weather isn’t against me!).

Tomorrow (or today rather) Alcuin & I are actually just staying in. We’re going to attempt to cook some Korean food for his family, whom have never experienced the awesomeness of KOREAN FOOD! Even I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were a few Korean restaurants open in London now, as well as a few Korean food markets! YAY +10 for London, I can’t live with out Korean food.

Well take care!

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