Each year,Triumph International Japan Ltd.creates a unique"concept bra"which are designed with great creativity and originality,with the intention of reflecting current affairs and social trends in mind.
The latest concept bra has been created with a focus on Japanese women who are making their mark internationally in sports,the arts and various other fields.This is despite the fact that Japan recently received the lowest level ranking for gender equality in terms of economics,education,politics and health among developed countries.Triumph International Japan made this concept bra in collaboration with a foundrywoman and a female blacksmith who are both working hard to make it in male-dominated professions.
By creating this bra,TIJ seeks to show its respect for Japanese women who are courageously taking on non-traditional roles and to encourage them in their efforts.The bra,named"Josei Ishin(Women's Revolution)Bra,"(not for sale)has been unveiled in Hamarikyu Garden Conference Room 4(located in the Hamarikyu Mitsui Building).
An exquisite encouragement for the admirable women
Meaning"reform"or"innovation,"the word"ishin"(often used specifically in reference to Japan's Meiji Restoration)became something of a buzzword in 2012.This year also marks the 600th anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc,the female warrior who has become an internationally known figure.In 2013,moreover,the NHK Taiga Drama will feature the story of Yae Niijima—called the"Joan of Arc of the end of the Edo Period"and the"handsome woman"—who is still admired by contemporary Japanese women for her liberal lifestyle.
Unfortunately,however,in the ranking on gender equality in industrialized countries announced by the World Economic Forum,Japan was placed in the lowest bracket,indicating that women in Japan are still dealing with a large gender gap.
In response,Triumph International Japan has collaborated with female artisans working in the male-dominated world of craftsmanship to create its latest concept bra based on the revolutionary theme of women boldly challenging social conventions.Imbued with the creativity and skills of these female artisans,the Josei Ishin(Women's Revolution)Bra has thus been created to cheer on and support all Japanese women who are making a difference in their chosen field.
Remarkable women-Foundrywoman Yuko Sugihara&Blacksmith Yuki Okamoto The Triumph Josei Ishin(Women's Revolution)Bra has tin cups molded by foundrywoman Yuko Sugihara,who is the only female member of the Nousaku trade association.The cups can be molded to match the breast shape of any woman.A specifically Japanese sensibility has been created by the adoption of cherry blossoms as a design motif.Designed from a unique feminine perspective,the see-through pattern of linked petals is exquisite in its elegance.
Yuki Okamoto,a blacksmith who has her own studio,forged the two decorative Chinese characters for"ishin"from soft iron,matching the cups with a design of cherry leaves and branches.When combined,the two characters in Kanji"ishin"mean"reform"or"innovation."Placed on the abdominal part of the bustier,the iron characters compress the stomach,helping to slim it.Okamoto also made the cherry-blossom-shaped charm attached to the shoulder strap.
The hard metal charm has an elegant,feminine finish of a kind that could only be crafted by a female artisan.Together,the characters and charm create a sort of symbolic"armor"for women who are battling to claim their ground in society and are intended to provide encouragement to these women.
A mirror and comb are also attached to one side of the bra.Meanwhile,the push-up bra increases the bust volume to ensure the wearer looks her best as she struggles to meet the challenges of modern life.
Matching reversible skirt
The reversible wrap skirt can be worn in both Japanese and Western styles and is designed to symbolize the revolution in fashion(from Japanese kimono to Western clothing)that occurred at the time of the Meiji Restoration.
This clothing revolution had a tremendous impact on the outlooks and lifestyles of Japanese women.The cherry-blossom-shaped charm designed by Yuki Okamoto is used as a clip for the wrap skirt.Its design expresses the dignity and beauty of Japanese women.
Pink and blue are used as base colors for the skirt.Pink,which symbolizes love and happiness,is used to express the broad-mindedness of women while blue,which symbolizes intellectualism,sincerity and cleanliness,stands for female dignity and psychological strength.
With a passion for perfection that is synonymous with true German heritage,Triumph has been lovingly tailoring women and teaching them to be proud of their natural curves for more than 125 years.