NEWS: German fashion on an expansion course: Delegation trip to Tokyo builds bridges to the Japanese market
Fashion Council Germany
Tokyo/Berlin, March 23, 2026: Twelve brands, five days in Tokyo: For the second time, a delegation trip took us to the Japanese capital from March 16 to 20, 2026 – with more brands than before, a packed program and once again growing interest.
The trip took place as part of Berlin Fashion X International , the internationalization project of the Fashion Council Germany (FCG) , which is supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and assists fashion brands in expanding their international presence.
This time, the delegation included the labels BALLETSHOFER , clara colette miramon , MALAIKARAISS , Milk of Lime , NATALIE GRASSI Jewelry , NATASCHA VON HIRSCHHAUSEN , RICHERT BEIL , SIA ARNIKA , Société Angélique , KASIA KUCHARSKA , UNVAIN Studios , and WILLIAM FAN . Besides providing insights into the Japanese market, the trip primarily offered opportunities for exchange and networking. The brands presented their collections to a professional audience of buyers from renowned stores and media representatives – forging connections that will extend far beyond their time in Tokyo.
“It’s always inspiring to get to know new cultures, especially in creative and business contexts. The workshops are particularly valuable because they not only provide cultural insights but also convey a better understanding of how the respective market works,” said William Fan, who had previously participated in FCG delegation trips. “I see great potential in the Japanese market, as there are many shared values and a strong stylistic connection.”
The delegation's trip began on March 16th with a reception at the German Embassy's residence in Tokyo. As part of the "Berlin Fashion Showcase," organized by the German Embassy in Tokyo in cooperation with us and the PR agency Call Hanna, the twelve brands presented their work in a curated exhibition. Ambassador Petra Sigmund welcomed guests from the retail, media, and cultural sectors and emphasized the importance of exchange and creative collaboration between Berlin and Tokyo. Michael Biel, Berlin's State Secretary for Economic Affairs, and Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the FCG Board, both also part of the delegation, underscored in their speeches the role of fashion as a bridge between cultures and cities.
Another highlight was the Berlin Showroom in Tokyo's Omotesando fashion district, which took place from March 18th to 19th and was realized in collaboration with the agency North Liberty. The showroom welcomed, among others, buyers from Isetan Shinjuku, Takashimaya, GR8, UNITED ARROWS, THE ELEPHANT, and ESTNATION; editors from WWD Japan, Elle Japan, FashionSnap, and Hypebeast; as well as stylists and fashion agencies.
The accompanying professional program of the delegation trip specifically prepared the participating labels for the Japanese market: Culture Sessions with Ashley Ogawa-Clarke (Vogue Runway) and Philippe Terrien (TFC) conveyed the fundamentals of Japanese business culture; store visits at Isetan Shinjuku, Takashimaya Shinjuku, and Parco Shibuya deepened their understanding of the local retail landscape; a denim workshop at Japan Blue Co. Ltd. offered insights into Japan's textile tradition. Furthermore, a workshop with WWD Japan provided the brands with in-depth knowledge of local public relations, while a meeting with Japanese fashion and distribution expert Yasunori Chahara at the Wanderlust showroom offered further valuable insights into the market and retailing.
Another highlight was the visit to the studio of the avant-garde label John Lawrence Sullivan: Designer Arashi Yanagawa, who had recently presented his fashion at Berlin Fashion Week, welcomed the group to his flagship store in Tokyo's Nakam district and spoke about the Japanese fashion scene, his inspirations and his vision.
The next delegation trip will take place from August 30th to September 4th, 2026, to Seoul, South Korea. Interested labels can apply HERE NOW until April 23rd.