EFM: How did you become a fashion stylist and fashion editor?

MJF: When I was in fashion school here in Tokyo, I was in what they called the `stylist course.` Of course, it didn`t have much to do with styling, and instead was just an overview of dressmaking. So I went out networking and meeting photographers and models on my own and building my portfolio. While still studying, I met a singer/songwriter who commissioned me on a lot of her projects and it took off from there. As for journalism, I honestly fell into it. When a position opened up at the English national newspaper, I was offered a column. From there, I started writing for more publications in English and Japanese.

Photographer: Daisuke Ito Styling: Misha Janette

Photographer: Maciej Kucia Styling: Misha Janette

EFM: You use to live in the United States, Washington State. How did you end up in Japan?

MJF: I had studied for half a year as an exchange student in high school, which I did just for fun. I ended up absorbing the language and culture very quickly, and 3 years later I decided to study fashion in Tokyo, rather than running off to do the same-ole same-ole Parsons or FIT gig. It just seemed to me that since I didn`t have any connections with anyone in the fashion industry anyway, even if I failed to jumpstart my career, at least in Tokyo I could say it was an adventure trying. I was also drawn to the fact that it is such a rare thing for a westerner to go to Tokyo to start young from the bottom up.

EFM: What fascinates you about Tokyo fashion week?

MJF: Even though we have a designated fashion week, the Tokyo Collections are spread out over a 6-week period. Some of the best shows don`t show anywhere near the scheduled JFW. But I am always fascinated with the looks on the faces of foreign journalists who are attending the shows for the first time. A lot of designers are very cerebral in their approach to design, and quite a bit of it is experimental. So to see these journalist`s expressions of `what is this??` Every season is amusing. The Japanese journalists and myself are unfazed- it is what it is, which is often artsy and nothing near what is actually shown in shops. It`s a shame that the general public is far too conservative to attempt to wear the dramatic pieces. In other words, it`s much like it is in New York or Europe, but you don`t have so much fashion hierarchy and politics to deal with.

Maothu S/S 09

EFM: What are the latest trends right now in Japan?

MJF: Right now everyone is into cheap clothing, which is a new phenomenon here. We just got H&M, and Topshop hasn`t been open long. Now they are building Forever21 next to H&M in Harajuku. It`s a big shift in the fashion paradigm. Also, I wrote about it recently for the Japan Times, but a big trend is wearing realistic desserts-as-accessories. Whip cream, cookies, chocolate, cakes… it`s usually made out of silicone and is accented with little Swarovski crystals. There are even kits to dress one`s mobile phone up to look like a mega-parfait. These things may be plastic, but surprisingly they aren`t cheap. See http://www.q-pot.jp/products/ to see what I mean.

EFM: I read one of your many articles, “Is Tokyo really the worlds fifth fashion capital after Paris, New York, Milan, and London”. What do you personally think?

MJF: I think that Tokyo (or Japan) really has the potential to be a strong leg in the fashion-week circuit, on equal terms with New York or Paris. Unfortunately, they continue to chase behind those cities, doing whatever they can to mimic their structures instead of building up their own first. I would like to see Japan become a main hub in Asia, and then work from there.

EFM: You have quite an impressive resume; so many things that you have accomplished. Is there any other adventure that you would like to embark upon?

MJF: I have only been out of school for two years, so I haven`t thought much about it! I have been both lucky to get so many opportunities, and diligent to work them through. I am still working on styling which is my passion, but I am also working with a lot of designers here to help them get their message out globally. Language is one problem, but they also don`t really know how to carry themselves in markets outside of Japan. People don`t realize that Japan is still a very different country compared to the West, and business is done here differently. I just want to see real talent succeed. As for me, I am just happy to be able to wear some crazy fashion, and in the future I would like to make a collection of one-off accessories, have a Japanese fashion (TV) show, and travel when I can. I would also like to work with some Japanese artisans to make some unique items.