By Chris Gallagher
TOKYO
(Reuters Life!) - Move over, Na'vis: some of Japan's top models
will strut down the catwalk in a 3D fashion event this weekend,
highlighting the increasing dazzle of the third dimension beyond
the movie industry.
Japanese fashion magazine Non-no
- Photo: www.s-woman.net/non-no
Japanese fashion magazine Non-no is teaming up with satellite
broadcaster BS-TBS and consumer electronics firm Panasonic Corp to
stream its "Spring Collection" show live in 3D at three cinemas on
Sunday 14 March in Japan.
It is
Japan's first such show and comes after British luxury goods
maker Burberry last month also streamed a live event in
3D from London Fashion Week, after James Cameron's sci-fi
juggernaut "Avatar," and its blue-skinned Na'vi heroes, ignited
massive interest in 3D in a slew of industries ranging from apparel
to sports.
"With
Avatar, people say this is the first year of 3D," said Yoshiharu
Koshizaki, editor-in-chief of Non-no, which is targeted at women in
their early 20s.
He
said that until now only a few spectators were able to see fashion
shows in person while two-dimensional images failed to capture the
texture and drape of clothes.
"But
with 3D, you can probably see how far the pleats of a skirt extend,
or the size and weight of a corsage, for example. So we wanted to
give it a try," he told Reuters by telephone.
Demand
was strong to become one of the 2,200 audience members at the 3D
showings, with around 20,000 Non-no readers entering a draw for
complimentary invitations, Koshizaki said.
He
said that the show would feature popular Non-no models such as
Nozomi Sasaki wearing mostly Japanese fashion brands, but that
Italian label Diesel would also be present on the
runway.
On the
technical side, BS-TBS will simulcast the show, to be held in
Tokyo, to screens operated by movie company Toho Co in Tokyo,
Nagoya and Hyogo, said a spokesman for the satellite broadcasting
unit of TV network TBS.
Panasonic is supplying equipment and technical support, the BS-TBS
spokesman said.
(Editing by Miral Fahmy)