Valentine's Bite

Among the 11 fashion trends spotlighted in February’s Elle is jewelry by Tokyo’s Inoue Hirotaka. He is getting a lot of mention lately, and at the very least, his publicist is determined to make him the next big thing. Although Tokyo is the place for innovative clothing and fashion, I frankly can’t recall any big name, must-have Japanese jewelry designers.

Maybe Hirotaka and his darker-side-of-nature inspired gold and platinum ornaments will change this.

Elle featured a gold hear shaped pendant that opens in the middle into a pointy-toothed mouth. I wish I had a larger picture to share with you, but this is the best I can do. Is the message that love bites or the wearer has a hungry heart or someone should be careful about touching another’s heart?

Some of his pieces are skulls and snakes. They are an expensive, whimsical nod to the latest grunge/punk/goth/girl with the dragon tattoo trend (I plan to someday turn up at CSIS dressed like that, but that is for a later blog). He is better when he is serious about nature's influence instead of trying to reinvent it. He is also better when he avoids the skulls as if he were Alexander McQueen East.

Not sure I would want that toothy necklace for Valentine’s day (yet it is memorable), but something Hirotaka would be nice. Although he seems a bit trendy, and his work might get dated quickly, I am simply weary of things from Tiffany. Somehow I have been given every Tiffany item that I do not want and do not like. Hirotaka still has room for growth and experimentation.

Among Hirotaka’s more imaginative nature-shaped pieces are his thorn rings made of gold or platinum and adorned with tiny diamonds. That is my choice of a thoughtful gift. Every relationship is thorny, far from perfect, but precious in its own way.

Fashionable

The world struggles with what to do about Burma and its human rights violations. Currently, the country's ruling generals are holding a Kangaroo court to try Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Japan is doing its part. What exactly it is doing, is subject to some debate.

Ms Suu Kyi faces five years in prison if she is convicted of having violated her house arrest when an American man swam to her lakeside home uninvited. Her lawyers are scheduled to deliver their closing arguments on Tuesday. A verdict is expected in two to three weeks or mid-August.

On August 22nd, shortly after the verdict, the Japanese Embassy in Burma along with the Japan Foundation and fashion designer Junko Koshino will hold a fashion show and dinner at the historic Strand Hotel in Burma's former capital, Yangon.

The show is to highlight Japanese lifestyle and culture. It is part of Tokyo's Japan-Mekong cultural exchange year program.

Most consider Japanese statements Burma to be tepid and actions nonexistent. I do not believe Prime Minister Aso has commented and the official spokesman says that Japan "observes the situation with deep concern, and hopes that democratization in Myanmar will be promoted with participation of all the parties concerned and that international community could give a high regard for a general election in 2010."

The designer featured at the former Imperial Army barracks (The Strand), Junko Koshino, is no stranger to contrasting images. The Osaka-born designer's philosophy is summed up by the word taikyoku, which in Japanese means "extreme opposites."

Later: The Court nows says it will issue its verdict on Friday, July 31st.

Still Later: The Court announced on Friday that it will put off the verdict until August 11th. There will be still time for Ms. Suu Kyi to catch the fashion show.