Kansai Yamamoto, the worldwide famous Japanese fashion designer realized a great show titled "Hello Istanbul" at Esma Sultan Yalısı on October 11th,2014, as a part of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the regular diplomatic relations between Turkey and Japan. Emphasizing the common characteristics of Turkish and Japanese culture which are situated in the east and west of the Silk Road, the event made an impact on the 90th anniversary.
Famous for the shows he realized with hundreds of thousand participants in the world's big cities since 1992, Yamamoto left a strong friendship sign in memories with Istanbul show prepared specially for celebrations of the 90th anniversary of Turkey-Japan relations. During the event that was carried out with cooperation between Turkey and Japan with the contribution of Çalık Holding, fashion show was based on an original choreography. Held in Istanbul, Esma Sultan Yalısı, the event hosted numerous invitees from both countries.
Magical night in Istanbul
The show of Kansai Yamamoto, the worldwide famous Japanese fashion designer held at Esma Sultan Yalısı on Bosphorus shore got great credit. Kansai Yamamoto's show rendering Turkish-Japanese relations unforgettable has been not only a fashion show, but also a brave and large scale unique stage show, where light, music and striking visuals were brought together.
During this original program prepared by Kansai Yamamoto held for the first time in Turkey to honor Turkish-Japanese relations, different, but coordinated fashion shows were held at two floors of Esma Sultan Yalısı simultaneously. Yamamoto realized the show Hello İstanbul with a stage team of 50 people including 22 models and dancers. Using ethnical Japanese patterns in his fashions shows in any country and inspired by the similarity between "Kimono" and "Caftan" this time, Yamamoto produced special designs for Hello Istanbul Show and made a powerful reference to the historical friendship between Turkey and Japan.
"Ant Walk" for Respect and Peace
At the show, performers dressed in kimono, the national Japanese garment also realized an "Ant walk" symbolizing respect and peace. This part of the show represented the respect and love of both countries' people for one another.
Ferries with Turkish and Japanese flags also take part in the celebrations
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Istanbul City Maritime Lines Corporation also provided the celebrations of the Turkish-Japanese relations' 90th Anniversary with support. Ferries decorated with Turkish and Japanese sailor flags designed by Kansai Yamamoto have been navigating across Bosphorus for the purpose of building Turkey-Japan friendship bridge and explaining importance of world peace to the children.
Kansai Yamamoto: I discovered the similarity between kimono and caftan
Kansai Yamamoto stated that he knows Turkish people's love for Japan and believes that this fashion show left a strong impression of Turkish people, while mentioning "Hello Istanbul Project":
"I discovered that there are some similarities between two cultures. For example, fishing is an important activity at Turkish and Japanese shores and fish is consumed much in both countries. Japan has Kimono and Turkey has caftan, which are similar to one another with special sewing methods. There are various other examples like this one. 2014 is the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Japan. I wanted to use this opportunity to create Japan and Turkey's "Friend-Ship" symbol by decorating the ferries that combine Asia and Europe and to make modern Japanese culture felt with music and textile during the costume fashion show. I dedicate this project to the friendship between Turkey and Japan."
Established historical relations between Turkey and Japan based on friendship date back to 10th century. Accelerated with giant projects such as Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge built by Japanese firms and Marmaray as an important step to bring London and Beijing together through railway, Turkish-Japanese relations deepen and develop day by day.
