“Romuva” was overwhelmed with cuteness | Diena.lt

Kawaii the king of fashion, Sebastian Masuda, chose an unusual format and models for the presentation of his collection – “Auras” dancers, who embodied cuteness, took to the stage of “Romuva” cinema.

Did not leave indifferent

The largest festival dedicated to Japanese culture in Lithuania “Japan Days in Kaunas WA” has chosen the Great Hall of the “Romuvos” cinema for the start. It turned into a catwalk for a while Kawaii for the masterpieces of Japanese designer Sebastian Masuda, who is called the king of fashion. No one pressed the waists and hips of the models to the required centimeters that evening, and the event itself did not resemble a Paris or Milan fashion show. S. Masuda together with Auras dancers put on a sensational performance that left everyone speechless.

“I follow Sebastian and am interested in his work. All of the artist’s works revive a child’s sense of wonder”, – a few minutes before the start of the event Viltė from Kaunas looked around for unoccupied chairs or at least a free patch on the stairs.

True, when she saw the first models, the woman got up from her seat.

Adorned with colored feathers, shiny scales and other bright accents, Aura’s dancers on stage conveyed with their bodies what the creator has been talking about for almost 30 years – cuteness can unite everyone, regardless of age, gender, religion or national borders.

“In this world where there is quite a lot of negativity and darkness, it is not easy to live. Dark colors are depressing, which does not add lightness to everyday life. My mission is to change that. I want people to feel good, to see and feel the taste and colors of life every day, so that the colors illuminate and highlight their everyday life,” said S. Masuda.

Photo of regiment Zakshensk.

The direction is Kaunas

The 54-year-old artist S. Masuda, born in Chiba, is nicknamed by fans of his craftsmanship Kawaii father of culture, 1995 opened the store “6%DokiDoki” and began to gather a brave community. Today, the fashion designer can be recognized not only in music videos, but also at international conferences, where even academics do not shy away from a bright image. The creator’s art projects and fashion shows have been appreciated by the residents of America, the Netherlands, Brazil, Bolivia, South Africa and other countries, and this year he was awarded the main prize of the CJPF Awards 2024 established by the Japanese Government for the dissemination of modern Japanese culture in foreign countries.

I’m talking about cuteness, but this time there’s an extraordinary power behind it.

“Usually I carry out my activities in Tokyo, but today I’m in Kaunas and I’m very happy about that”, S. Masuda said that his friend Gintaras Miežis pushed him to implement a joint project with this city and the “Aura” team.

Having visited Japan several times, he has dreamed of presenting in Lithuania for a long time Kawaii culture. “Japan Days in Kaunas WA” served this perfectly.

“It’s nice to be able to share some pop culture with you. I really hope that Lithuanians will be interested in it – S. Masuda hoped to continue cooperating with the “Auras” team. – If it succeeds, I would like to take the dancers to Tokyo in the near future. Of course, I would also like to go to Hiratsuka, so if you can help, please.”

Synthesis: “Romuva” cinema was flooded with music, movement and colors. / Photo of Regiment Zakshensk.

Cute details

Despite the changed location, the theme of the clothing collection remained the same – cuteness. It probably fits the most in the meaning of the word “kawaii” and Kawaii in the culture.

“I’m talking about cuteness, but this time there’s an extraordinary power behind it. With this performance, I wanted to convey it to people,” S. Masuda shared his insights. Kawaii helped turn the current into a wave of cuteness in Japan that today encompasses everything from entertainment, clothing, food, children’s toys, and even human behavior.

Kawaii culture fans, according to S. Masuda, strive to create a cute childish image through certain style details and features – a friendly smile, light pastel colors, childish, puffy, doll-like dresses. Let’s say women who support this style really like Hello Kitty. This character could also be seen on items that were available for purchase after the event. At least a few townspeople took away colorful t-shirts, hats, small wallets, hair accessories and a new understanding of Kawaii culture.

Photo of regiment Zakshensk.

“In Japan kawaii style is a way of expressing oneself as a personality in society. Meanwhile, we see a tendency that in Europe, a bright subculture is more often perceived as a way to hide from society, and sometimes from oneself”, – researcher of Japanese culture, lecturer at Vytautas the Great University, Kristina Barancovaitė-Skindaravičienė wanted to believe that getting to know S. Masuda would change the prevailing opinion. .

Photo of regiment Zakshensk.