Tommy Ton: Big in Japan

Our resident street-style photographer sizes up the scene at Tokyo fashion week "It always astounds me to see how many people cross the street at each light change at Shibuya Crossing. To me, it represents the energy and outlook of a city that's always moving forward." "This was just the starter of my first lunch in Tokyo. There's such a high level of craft and beauty in the way food is presented in Japan." "People can't live without their mobile devices here; it's only fitting they use them to express their personality." "Facetasm was the first show of the week, and it was a treat to see. All the models had wild hair and makeup and the quirky, layered clothes were just as fun." "I loved Facetasm's dungarees with the leather bondage element." "Guys really dominate street style in Tokyo. The men here love to take risks and don't hold anything back. It's inspiring." "Jake Shortall, the in-demand model from Liverpool, has already nabbed the face-of-the-week title, opening both Facetasm and Phenomenon." "Japanese designers really have a direct connection to the street. Phenomenon had a blaring DJ set booming through the whole show." "I never thought I'd see a tie-dye resurrection, but Phenomenon's ode to the seventies was cleverly done. Instantly covetable among the street-style kids." "You go to dozens and dozens of shows each season, and sometimes you walk into a venue without a clue and witness something you've never seen before." "Designer Kunihiko Morinaga, the man behind Anrealage, presented what I've been waiting for all season long. To see such genius and magic in motion was a treat and a rarity in the sea of shows." "If people marveled at Alexander Wang's glow-in-the-dark moment, it paled in comparison to what Anrealage did. The opening and closing featured models wearing caged designs showcasing the exoskeletal architecture of his clothes." "I have no idea how Morinaga pulled it off, but let this be a sign that talent can come from anywhere and that anyone can outshine the big houses." "The real feat of technical expertise came when Morinaga applied laser-cutting techniques to everyday basics like cardigans and trenchcoats. The results: incredibly wearable yet showstopping clothes that I'm sure Lady Gaga and Susie Bubble will be fighting over." "I'm just astounded by all the lights and signs that scatter the Tokyo skyline." "Here's something you don't normally see: a designer freezing his collection for public viewing." "It's unusual for a designer to walk his own runway and steal the show while he's at it. You have to commend him for being able to multitask." "Et Momonakia's show stood out. How could it not with the lip-synching and dancing to eighties Japanese pop?" "All I have to say is that the guys in Tokyo really look like rock stars." "I loved this girl's ode to nineties grunge, even if it wasn't her intention. The plaid coat with the lilac beanie and matching hair is as kawaii as it gets." "The girls in Tokyo are so animated, their looks can be quite literal at times." "Lady Gaga, is that you? No, it's Misha Janette from Tokyo Fashion Diaries." "After seeing this billboard, I knew I'd definitely be checking out this Shinjuku Robot show." "Pastry decoration taken to another level." "Designer Yoshio Kubo sent in the clowns at his show, truly a cool way to style streetwear-clad models." "A fairy-tale finale at the Somarta show." "It's refreshing to see designers come up with different ways to present their collections. Motonari Ono sent out models holding onto busts, which they then hung on a wire display." "Wandering through the Tokyo fashion week trade shows, you can always spot cool girls." "This one-of-a-kind dress by Harcoza is made from 250 origami cranes." "One of the greatest things about Tokyo is who you'll just randomly meet anywhere. I bumped into Eriko Nakao while on a shoot and was blown away by her incredible sense of style, but it was her STYLE tattoo that caught my eye and made me believe we were meant to meet." "My week came to an end with Tokyo's first Tweed Run, which attracted quite a range of devotees with their own take on the iconic staple." "A visit to the Shinjuku Robot cabaret show is a must. From the moment you step into the space, you just marvel at the vibrancy and boldness of the interiors. It's like a manga anime come to life." "You see kids in their school uniforms all over Tokyo; it's just the most adorable sight." "Alice Auaa gave her Alice in Wonderland inspiration a gothic spin, complete with cameos from the rabbit and Mad Hatter." "Here's a front row that I've never ever seen before. I couldn't take my eyes off of them." "Alice Auaa has such a devoted following among Lolita goths. It's like they've walked out of the pages of a Japanese fantasy novel." "The original street photographer and blogger, Rei Shito of Style From Tokyo, has such an eclectic sense of style. I see her in a new look each day."