From 15/03 - 20/03/2026, Berlin Fashion X International returned to Tokyo for a second delegation trip, continuing to strengthen its engagement with the Japanese market. As part of its ongoing efforts to connect Berlin-based brands with international fashion ecosystems, the initiative focused on fostering long-term, sustainable business relationships and opening up new perspectives for market entry in Asia.

Throughout the five-day programme, participating brands engaged in a dynamic mix of workshops, curated networking formats, and visits to key retail and industry spaces across Tokyo. This multifaceted approach enabled designers to deepen their understanding of local market structures, gain insights into current developments within the Japanese fashion landscape, and build meaningful connections with relevant industry stakeholders.

A total of twelve fashion and accessory brands — Balletshofer, Clara Colette Miramon, Kasia Kucharska, Malaikaraiss, Milk of Lime, Natalie Grassi, Natascha von Hirschhausen, Richert Beil, Sia Arnika, Société Angelique, Unvain and William Fan — took part in the delegation. Over the course of the programme, they were able to expand their professional networks, explore opportunities for collaboration, and further position themselves within the Asian market.

With this second visit to Tokyo, Berlin Fashion X International continued to advance its mission of supporting emerging and established designers in their internationalisation efforts by facilitating access to forward-looking business partners and relevant industry networks.

Berlin Fashion X International is funded at the federal state level and supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Berlin.



Here are a few highlights of the program:

The trip began with a casual welcome dinner bringing together all participants of the delegation trip to connect and prepare for the journey.


Day 1

The first day began with a warm welcome at the FCG office in Tokyo, where participants gathered for an introductory session that set the tone for the week ahead. This was followed by insightful cultural briefings on Tokyo International and the Japanese fashion landscape, led by Ashley Ogawa Clarke, a Vogue writer, and Philippe Terrien from TFC Press, offering valuable perspectives on the local industry.
A special highlight of the day was the cocktail reception hosted by the German Embassy in Tokyo at the Ambassador’s residence, realized with the support of PR and creative consultant Hanna K. OF. In this distinguished setting, Ambassador Petra Sigmund welcomed the guests with inspiring words about the importance of cultural exchange and creative collaboration between Berlin and Tokyo. Her remarks were echoed by State Secretary Michael Biel and Fashion Council Germany Chairwoman Christiane Arp, who emphasized the role of fashion as a bridge between cities and cultures.
The Berlin Fashion Showcase features designs from participating German brands, providing a platform for dialogue, networking, and cross-cultural inspiration. The first day in Japan was made memorable thanks to the German Embassy in Tokyo and all those who contributed to this inspiring start.



Day 2

The day started with a behind-the-scenes visit to Isetan Shinjuku, where participants met with Head of Womenswear Buying Shihoko Okuda to gain insights into one of Japan’s leading department stores and its approach to curation and retail strategy. This was followed by a guided retail tour through Parco Shibuya, offering a closer look at Tokyo’s dynamic consumer landscape and innovative store concepts.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to industry exchange, beginning with a Japanese denim meeting with Japan Blue Co. Ltd, that explored craftsmanship, production, and collaboration opportunities. Later, the group visited the John Lawrence Sullivan, flagship store, where founder Arashi Yanagawa shared valuable insights into the brand’s philosophy and positioning within the Japanese fashion scene. The day concluded with showroom set-up preparations.


Day 3

The morning marked the official opening of the Berlin Showroom in Omotesando, organized in collaboration with North Liberty Inc., where the delegation arrived to prepare for a full day of professional engagement. Throughout the day, the participating brands opened their doors to press, buyers, stylists, and industry professionals from the Japanese market, fostering meaningful connections and business opportunities.
Between appointments, the delegation sat down with the team from WWD Japan for an in-depth media workshop. Editor-in-Chief Kaname Murakami, alongside Aika Kimura and Jun Yabuno, shared valuable insights into the Japanese media landscape and effective communication strategies, offering participants a deeper understanding of working with local press.
The day continued with further showroom visits and concluded with time for individual meetings, networking, and store explorations across the city.


Day 4

The fourth day continued with another full schedule at the Berlin Showroom, once again welcoming a diverse range of industry guests, including buyers, stylists, and key opinion leaders. These dedicated appointments further strengthened relationships and opened doors for future collaborations within the Japanese market.
A special focus was placed on individual interactions, with selected stylist visits providing targeted exposure for the designers. Throughout the day, the showroom remained an active hub for conversations, exchanges, and new connections.
The day concluded with the dismantling of the showroom, alongside time for final individual appointments and continued networking.


Day 5

The final day began with a store visit to Takashimaya Shinjuku, including an exclusive tour and exchange with the buying team to reflect on retail insights and potential collaborations. This was followed by a meeting with Wanderlust Distribution JP – Nori Chahara, allowing for deeper discussions on market entry strategies and partnership opportunities.
To close out the visit, the delegation stopped by Isetan Shinjuku, where looks by delegation participant and FCG member Richert Beil were featured in-store.
With the official program concluding in the early afternoon, the delegation reflected on a week filled with exchange, inspiration, and new connections. The visit to Tokyo marked a meaningful conclusion to the trip, made possible through the support of partners, experts, and hosts who contributed to an engaging and memorable experience, including Jun Yabuno (Writer, Project Interpreter & Support, WWD Japan) and Hanna K. OF, PR & creative consultant.