I’ll let you in on a secret. As a teen subscriber to Vogue, attending an overseas Fashion Week was top of my list of achievements to unlock in this lifetime. I knew that I would, too. Back then, I assumed it would be Paris or Milan, but over time it’s come to make sense that my foray into the world of runway fashion would happen in Tokyo. It is, after all, the featured location of my PhD research.
Despite not having been to any European fashion shows, I can tell you without a doubt that the Tokyo scene is a bajillion times cooler. I’m so full of inspiration right now! In fact, I’m this close to dropping this blasted, god-forsaken thesis and running off to join a Japanese design house. At the end of the day, though, they probably wouldn’t have me. I just don’t have that much of an innovative streak. As much as I like to pretend I do – and as much as people assume I do, given my specialisation in contemporary art textiles – I’m simply a boring guy from suburban Brisvegas.
Brentley
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Poor Brentley. He was so excited when he managed to scam his way into some Fashion Week shows through his Textile Histories Society membership, but ever since he’s been kind of down. Either he was dramatically disappointed and is dealing with the less-than-glamorous reality of the fashion industry, or he was not the least bit let down and has realised that academia is not for him.
I think he needs some chocolate.
Cathy
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Back in high school, I always knew that Brentley was an artist at heart. I’ve never really understood why he went into this whole PhD thing; the guy can barely concentrate at the best of times. He’s much happier when he gets to flit around, so to speak.
Sounds harsh, maybe. But you’re talking to someone who actually enjoys in-depth, long-term research projects over here. I can spot a mile away that Brentley can’t stand this sort of thing. So why is he doing it?
I don’t really have anything to say about Tokyo Fashion Week, because I didn’t attend. All I know is that, when I picked Brentley up later in the night, he was talking to a guy in a floor-length quilted cape in beige rainproof fabric with a floral patchwork lining, and two women in matching LED wigs that were showing real-times maps of the solar system. He looked equal parts delighted and green with envy.
Emmaline