Jun Ashida

Jun Ashida is a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Kyoto Prefecture, Ashida attended the University of Tokyo where he studied illustration and design. Born in 1930, his work has long been a high profile example of Japanese fashion around the world and even today, his daughter is carrying on his legacy with her own fashion label.

History

Ashida’s first designs in the 1950s included a number of full body suits and knee length dresses in the style of American and European fashion of the time. In the 1960s he branched out in multiple directions with dual chromatic one pieces and women’s suits that harkened back to the 1930s.

The 1970s was home to a number of trenchcoat style designs with long, flowing clothing and a focus on headwear. Looser, dresses in the 1980s took advantage of a new style of single color, looseness and in the 1990s, greater detail and darker dresses were a huge part of his productions. Since 2000, the brand has been as eclectic as ever with a number of new styles and designs, ranging from monochromatic suits to long flowing white dresses and jacketed dresses. The company itself was formally created in 1963 and has since taken on more than 400 employees and has offices around the world.

Jun’s daughter Tae Ashida has her own line of clothing now after training overseas in Paris. Her line, Miss Ashida, is focused on the intersection of fashion and nature and puts an emphasis on lean silhouettes and elegance in urban dress.

Service to Japan

Jun Ashida’s work has made him world famous as well as nationally recognized. His work with the royal family in the 1960s and 1970s, including as the exclusive designer to HIH Crown Princess Michiko before she was crowned Empress Michiko, and his work with the royal family and diplomatic corps have earned him awards such as the Purple Ribbon Medal and Order of the Rising Sun. Additionally, he has been tapped by his country to design uniforms for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, for the Tokyo Marine and Fire Insurance company and several other leading national and private industries.

External Links

• Official Website (English)