When photographer Sasu Tei and his team showed us their images created as an expression of their ongoing fears for the future after the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and subsequent radiation meltdown, we loved them. But we also thought it would be interesting to ask the four artists to give us some personal thoughts on their experience, on their ongoing anxieties and their thoughts for the future. [Read these interviews on Flux here]

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The recently finished Future Beauty, at the Barbican in London, was the first exhibition in Europe to comprehensively explore avant-garde Japanese fashion, from the early 1980s to the present.

Japanese designers have had a huge impact on world fashion. Visionaries such as Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto redefined the basis of fashion, challenging Western concepts of beauty to transform their garments into art.

The exhibition delved into the correlation between Japanese art, culture, costume history and fashion. Curated by Akiko Fukai, Director of the Kyoto Costume Institute, and designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, the show brought together over 100 garments from the last three decades.

Lace is the fabric du jour these days, with ladies rocking the antique trend — wearing a little bit on a shirt or a lot, as shown in these somewhat revealing outfits by Japanese label Somarta. Their ‘second skin’ collection is made entirely of lace body pieces to be bought as separates and worn together. I see London, I see France, I see someone’s underpants.

Leave it up to the trend hungry folks in Tokyo to create a bra that grows rice. Internationally known lingerie company, Triumph, recently revealed their Grow Your Own Rice Bra. With the intention of developing agricultural awareness, the bra can grow rice anywhere, anytime. Now, if that would only work the same for my boobs.

Using Kyoko Hashimoto’s popular design, these acrylic earrings are made with unique hand formed sterling silver sleepers that make them light enough for everyday wear. Part of Kyoko’s collection, I Blame the Uni, (pronounced ‘oo-nee’, the Japanese name for sea urchin) and inspired by her experiences in the underground club scene of Tokyo.

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We’re so accustomed to seeing arty forms of self-expression these days that the sight of this Japanese girl walking around the bustling streets of Tokyo wearing tiny butterflies attached to her eyes barely raises an eyebrow. [photo via WackyArchives]

Japanese designers Keiichi Muramatsu and Noriko Seki founded the Tokyo-based fashion label, Everlasting Sprout, in 2005, based on their mutual interest in knit design. Each intricate creation in their Spring/Summer 2009 range took up to a week for them to construct.

Trust the Japanese to endorse this crazy new product, a Marriage Hunting Bra by Triumph. Is it the start of some bizarre trend for single girls waiting to wed? It features a marriage countdown clock, showing the deadline for the wearer to get to the altar. When an engagement ring is inserted between the cups, the clock stops ticking and, surprise, surprise, music plays. The song? Here Comes The Bride, of course.

Ok, so we all know that low-rider pants are back in again, but these bikini jeans by Japanese fashion label, Sanna Brazil (go figure!), are taking it all that little bit too far. Apparently they combine ‘ultra low-cut blue jeans with an integrated string bikini bottom, with a super sexy yet extremely flattering’ fit. But all I can think of is chafing. Damn! They retail for around US$90.

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It’s just a few winding blocks in a city bursting with over twelve million people, but the influence of Tokyo’s fashion hub Harajuku extends way beyond its physical reach. Style Deficit Disorder is a new book by US born, Tokyo-based author and fashion editor, Tiffany Godoy, that documents the dizzying array of trends, movements, styles and designers the district has spawned in its short history. Heading out onto the streets like a fashion anthropologist, Godoy interviews wearers and designers of signature looks now synonymous with Japanese style like kawaii (cute) and goth-lolita, while feature essays from some key players in the magazine industry show just how crucial the neighbourhood is as a platform for new labels. From big hitters like Rei Kawakubo’s Commes des Garcons to Nigo’s A Bathing Ape, as well as smaller scale brands including Milk, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Super Lovers and Sophnet, they all got their start on the streets of Harajuku.