Japanese Women Are Fighting Gender Roles in the Workplace + More Fashion News You Missed This Week

Japanese Women Are Fighting Gender Roles in the Workplace

Nearly 20,000 women across Japan have signed an online petition demanding that the government ban corporations from requiring female employees to wear high heels to work. The movement, which has gone viral with the hashtag #KuToo, was initiated by 32-year old freelance writer and actress Yumi Ishikawa. The story gained traction when Ishikawa tweeted about being forced to wear high heels for a part-time job at a funeral parlour. “Japan is thickheaded about gender discrimination,” she says, “it’s way behind other countries in this regard.”

As of right now, the health ministry is reviewing the petition and has made no further comments on the subject. (Reuters)

David Yurman Opens at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in Montreal

In May, David Yurman announced the opening of a new boutique in Montreal at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy. The 1,200-square-foot boutique’s doors are now open, and at almost double the size of the previous Montreal location, David Yurman products from the Men’s, Women’s and Wedding collections will all be featured. Carol Pennelli, President of David Yurman, explains that “the opening of our new boutique at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy provides an opportunity for us to feature our most innovative designs and to tell a rich brand story.” With the brand looking to increase its sustainability initiative with fixtures made up of 90% repurposed materials, the new space is intimate yet luxurious.

Visit the store now at 1307 Saint-Catherine Street West, Montreal. (Press Release)

2019 CFDAs: Brandon Maxwell Wins Designer of the Year Award

The 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards were this past weekend, and Brandon Maxwell was amongst those who took home the biggest awards of the night. The Womenswear Designer of the Year winner expressed his shock and excitement on Instagram, “to say that I am surprised and humbled would be an understatement. There is a moment somewhere of me on camera holding on to the podium for at least 5-10 seconds because I was absolutely sure I was going to pass out right in front of all my heroes.” Icons such as the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Lady Michelle Obama have been seen wearing Maxwell’s designs on numerous occasions. The designer has also been known to work closely with Lady Gaga for appearances at the Oscars, Grammys and Met Gala (who could forget that 4 dress Met Gala extravaganza?). This is a well-deserved win for Maxwell who also won the CFDA Emerging Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2016. (WWD)

Virgil Abloh Releases All-Orange Louis Vuitton Collection

We’re seeing orange in Virgil Abloh’s latest capsule collection for Louis Vuitton. This brightly infused collection includes pieces such as chained belts, soft box bags, low top sneakers and chunky sunglasses. From June 8^th to July 7^th you too can shop the exclusive collection at it’s pop-up in the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. This exclusive 6-piece collection is running alongside Abloh’s exhibit, “Figures of Speech”, which opens at the museum on June 10th. For Abloh, this is an exciting moment as his past visits to the Louis Vuitton flagship store in Chicago influenced his love, and eventual entry, into the fashion industry. (WWD)