Date:
April 13, 2025
Venue:
Atolye, BBFL-1F Gallery, BBFL-3F Gallery
On Sunday, April 13, the vibrant neighborhoods of Park Slope, Brooklyn, became a cultural crossroads as the Brooklyn + Japan Festival brought together fashion, arts, and community celebration. The event was held across two venues—Atolye NYC and Brooklyn Beauty/Fashion Labo (BBFL) — and was presented in partnership with BK Style Foundation, the team behind Fashion Week Brooklyn.
This year’s festival also celebrated a new chapter in cross-cultural academic engagement, as Taisho University (Tokyo) launched its satellite campus in Brooklyn, creating new opportunities for collaboration between Japanese institutions and the local creative community.
Japan × Brooklyn Runway &
Live Calligraphy Performance
3:00PM – 4:00PM @ Atolye
The festival opened with the Japan × Brooklyn Designers’ Runway Collection, showcasing a powerful collaboration between Japanese and Brooklyn-based fashion designers.
The show was preceded by a historic live calligraphy performance featuring four esteemed calligraphy masters: Hakko Ishitobi, Taisho Akahira, Suikoku Yamanaka, and Masahiro Kashiwagi, Chairman of the Board of Taisho University.
@ct_tsai
Calligraphy Exhibition: Japanese Calligraphy – An Infinite UNIVERSE Opening Reception
5:00PM – 7:00PM @ BBFL-1F Gallery
After the runway, Hakko Ishitobi’s first solo exhibition in New York, in collaboration with Taisho University, opened at Brooklyn Beauty/Fashion Labo.
The opening reception featured a live calligraphy performance by four esteemed calligraphers who had also performed at the fashion show’s opening, captivating the audience with their exceptional techniques.
Artist in Residency Program Opening Reception
6:00PM – 7:00PM @ BBFL-3F Gallery
Coinciding with the calligraphy exhibition was the opening of the Artist in Residency (AiR) Exhibition, featuring new works by Daiki Nakamura and Michael & Eva Jacobson. As recipients of the 2024 Artist in Residency Award, these artists completed a one-month creative residency in Brooklyn.
In addition, BBFL hosted a special solo exhibition by Marie Roberts, a beloved Coney Island-based artist.
Afterparty Celebration
To conclude the day’s events, guests returned to Atolye NYC for an upbeat afterparty, where music, art, and conversation continued into the evening. The highlight was a live performance by Emergency Tiara (@emergencytiara), whose genre-blending pop and theatrical stage presence kept the crowd energized and engaged. Artists, organizers, and attendees mingled freely, reflecting on the day’s events and planting seeds for future collaborations.
Building a Cultural Bridge
As Masahiro Kashiwagi expressed during the festival:
By observing Japan from an international perspective, we hope to create a base for regional revitalization through cultural collaboration.
The Brooklyn + Japan Festival was not just a showcase—it was a statement of intention: to build lasting bridges between Japan and Brooklyn through creativity, community, and mutual respect.
Special Thanks
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the artists, partners, sponsors, and community members who made this event possible. Your support and presence helped turn this day into a memorable celebration of culture and collaboration.
Event Team:
Event Director: Ryohei Miyat
Creative Director: Shu Saito
Event Manager: Nobu Sugioka
Event Staff: Miro, Riko Asai
Event Volunteers: Genesis Avellaneda, Kazuko Hrosar, Joshua Kim, Mana Yamamoto
Interns: Fune, Niko