Mainichi Newspapers, Inc. Winners of the 2025 (43rd) Mainichi Fashion Awards announced

[Mainichi Newspapers, Inc.] Winners of the 43rd Mainichi Fashion Awards 2025 Announced ​
The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd. Press Release: September 1, 2025 2025 (43rd) Mainichi Fashion Awards Winners Announced The Grand Prize of the 2025 (43rd) Mainichi Fashion Awards went to Ryota Iwai, the Newcomer Award and Shiseido Encouragement Award went to Eimi Maeyama, and the Jury Special Award went to Akira Minagawa.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/32749/634/32749-634-f30718576ef35a96b6eb1ecaad60814c-535×799.jpg Ryota Iwai, winner of the 2025 Mainichi Fashion Award
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/32749/634/32749-634-ec7a2ffbf19b65cb250a90fdd50929d0-533×800.jpg AURALEE 2025 Fall/Winter Collection The winners of the 2025 (43rd) Mainichi Fashion Awards (sponsored by the Mainichi Shimbun and supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) were announced on the 1st. The Grand Prize went to AURALEE designer Ryota Iwai, and the Newcomer Award and Shiseido Encouragement Award went to FETICO designer Eimi Maeyama. The Kujiraoka Amiko Award, given to individuals and organizations who have made long-term contributions to the industry, went to Shinya Miyaura, CEO of Itohen Co., Ltd. and fashion curator. The Topic Award went to YKK Corporation’s YKK Fastening Award, and the Jury Special Award went to mina perhonen designer Akira Minagawa. A feature article including interviews with the winners will be published in the mid-October morning edition of the Mainichi Shimbun. 2025 (43rd) Mainichi Fashion Award Winners (Titles omitted) ●Grand Prize Ryota Iwai, AURALEE Designer Born in 1983. After graduating from university, he attended Bunka Fashion College’s night school while gaining experience as a pattern maker and designer. He launched “AURALEE” in the spring/summer 2015 season and opened his first directly managed store in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo in 2017. In 2018, he won the FASHION PRIZE OF TOKYO and began presenting his collections in Paris the following year. That same year, he won the Newcomer Award and Shiseido Encouragement Award at the 37th Mainichi Fashion Awards. Ten years after the brand was founded, he has been committed to selecting high-quality materials and meticulous sewing, developing ageless and genderless creations. His style, which is in line with modern values, has been highly praised both at home and abroad, and he is expanding his fan base globally. *”AURALEE” official website: https://auralee.jp/ ●Newcomer Award/Shiseido Encouragement Award Funayama Emi (FETICO Designer) Born in 1986. Moved to the UK after graduating from high school. After returning to Japan, enrolled in Esmod Japon Tokyo, graduating in 2010. After gaining experience as a designer for collection brands, she launched FETICO in 2020. The brand’s designs are characterized by a unique perspective on the beauty of the female form, reconstructing aesthetics and the view of the body. Its style, which pursues elegant sexiness and beautiful curves, has garnered widespread support. In 2022, the brand received the “JFW NEXT BRAND AWARD 2023” and “TOKYO FASHION AWARD 2023,” receiving high praise for its innovative efforts. The brand also collaborates with domestic textile producers and artisans, aiming to create clothes that will stand the test of time. In August 2025, they will announce a collaboration with Wacoal’s lingerie brand “Yue,” and in September, they plan to hold a runway show at Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2026 S/S through the Rakuten “by R” project. As one of the most talked-about new brands, they are sure to have great things to look forward to in the future. * “FETICO” official website:
https://fetico.jp/ ●Kujiraoka Amiko Award Shinya Miyaura (Miyaura Shinya) CEO of Itohen Co., Ltd./Fashion Curator Born in 1987. After graduating from Sugino Fashion College and studying abroad in London, he founded Itohen Co., Ltd. in 2017. With the goal of “developing and creating Japanese manufacturing,” the organization visits more than 200 textile production areas and factories annually, promoting the appeal of local industries through material development, exhibition planning, and media management. In addition, through projects such as “Schools in Production Areas” and “TEXTILE JAPAN,” the organization shines a spotlight on textile production areas that have historically been of little interest to young people. It engages in a wide range of initiatives, including employment support and human resource development in production areas, matching with designers, and joint fabric development. The organization contributes to the sustainability of the textile and fashion industries. *Itohen Co., Ltd. official website: https://ito-hen.com/ ●Topic Award YKK Corporation “YKK Fastening Award” The “YKK Fastening Award” (sponsored by YKK Corporation and YKK Snap Fastener Co., Ltd.) is one of Japan’s largest student fashion design contests, established in 2001 with the aim of supporting young creators’ international success. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the award. The theme is “wearable creations,” and entries are being accepted that utilize YKK fastening products. Winners will receive support, including free YKK products. This year marks a milestone, and a new award, the “Circular Design Special Award,” has been established to select outstanding works from the perspective of circular design, which is premised on resource recycling and waste reduction. This award initiative by a global company was highly praised for its contribution to nurturing the next generation of designers and the development of the fashion industry. *”YKK Fastening Award” official website: https://www.ykk.com/fa/ ●Special Jury Award Akira Minagawa, mina perhonen Designer Born in 1967. Founded “mina” in 1995 (“mina perhonen” since 2003). Focusing on original textiles, he offers a wide range of items for everyday life, including clothing, furniture, and tableware. The brand won the Grand Prize at the Mainichi Fashion Awards in 2006 and the Mainichi Design Award in 2016, earning high praise in both the fashion and design fields. The brand’s warm, artisan-made embroidery and timeless designs featuring natural motifs such as butterflies and plants are popular with people of all ages. The brand has also received high praise overseas, holding exhibitions in Sweden and Taiwan. Aiming to become a “100-year-old brand,” the brand continues to pursue sustainable manufacturing that values ​​materials and craftsmanship. In 2013, he was awarded the Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland by the Finnish government, and in November of this year, marking the 30th anniversary of the brand’s founding, the exhibition “Tsugu mina perhonen” is scheduled to be held at the Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo. * “mina perhonen” official website: https://www.mina-perhonen.jp/ ◇What is the Mainichi Fashion Award? Established in 1982 to
commemorate the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Mainichi Shimbun. The awards honor the outstanding achievements of
fashion-related individuals, discover new talent, and contribute to the further development of the fashion industry and fostering culture by continuously disseminating more comprehensive fashion information. Sponsored by the Mainichi Shimbun / Sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Mainichi Shimbun News Site
https://mainichi.jp/ Mainichi Fashion Award Site
https://macs.mainichi.co.jp/fashion/ For more information about this release