The 81st annual runway show by LIM College, now under the Japan Educational Foundation, presented a thesis on fashion's modern geography. With sister schools ESMOD France and Japan’s Mode Gakuen contributing, the event argued that creative centers are now global. This interconnectedness mirrors a century of lingerie evolution, where a Parisian innovation—like the structured corsetry that defined ESMOD’s 1841 founding era—could be reimagined in Tokyo or New York within a season.
The collections themselves narrated a material history. Student designers repurposed errant chiffon and net, fabrics deeply rooted in lingerie for their tactility and drape, into apocalyptic scavenger wear. This deconstruction brought to mind the radical reworkings of foundations by designers like Azzedine Alaïa, whose iconic bandage dresses of the 1980s, referenced in one segment, redefined the relationship between understructure and outerwear. Meanwhile, the elegant finale gowns, available through sponsor Amazon, highlighted the direct-to-consumer model reshaping how we access all fashion tiers, from everyday bras to evening wear.
The evening’s philanthropic partner, the Verma Foundation, provided a poignant throughline. By providing wigs for those undergoing chemotherapy, it touched on the intimate relationship between undergarments, personal identity, and the body—a core concern lingerie has always addressed. The show demonstrated that whether channeling historical opulence or a speculative future, fashion remains a dialogue between global ideas and the most personal layers of dress.
Originally reported by WWD