SYDNEY: Things are looking up for designer Yu Konishi, thanks to a little help from his former home country.
The Sydney-based womenswear designer, formerly of Tokyo, has been selected to take part in Designer Preview in New York on February 18. The event will be held on the final evening of New York Fashion Week and will showcase the work of eight Japanese designers to over 300 fashion media and buyers.
The event has been coordinated by Japan Fashion Week in association with the Japan External Trade Relations Organisation, and is just one of multiple international initiatives that Konishi has scheduled for 2010. The YU womenswear label suffered heavy damage to its domestic stockist base during the global financial crisis and is currently without any Australian retail accounts.
Konishi will design a capsule collection of 15 pieces for Designer Preview, including pant suits, tailored trench coats and dresses. The Katherine Hepburn-inspired collection will feature satin, wool gabardine and silk fabrics, with price points from $1500 for a tailored jacket.
Konishi will also exhibit tailored suiting from his current collection at the event.
Konishi relocated from Tokyo to Sydney in 2006 and was part of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in 2008. The designer worked for upmarket labels including Burberry and Paul Stuart before founding the YU label.