Soen (magazine)

Soen
CategoriesWomen's fashion magazine
FrequencyMonthly
PublisherBunka Publishing Bureau
FounderBunka Fashion College
Founded1936
CountryJapan
Based inTokyo
LanguageJapanese
WebsiteSoen

Soen (装苑, Sōen) is a Japanese monthly women's magazine with a special focus on fashion. The magazine is based in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1936, it is the first fashion magazine in the country.[1] It is also the oldest Japanese fashion magazine still in publication.[2][3]

History and profile

Soen was established by Bunka Fukusō Gakuin (meaning Bunka Fashion College in English) in 1936.[4][5] The magazine is published by Bunka Publishing Bureau on a monthly basis.[5] It has a sister publication, High Fashion.[4] Soen targets women.[5]

In the 1950s Soen featured articles on Paris fashion week.[2] In addition, the magazine also covered new look style of Dior between 1948 and 1950.[6] It awards the Soen Prize, which was formed in 1956.[2][7] Some of the Japanese fashion designers won the prize include Junko Koshino, Yohji Yamamoto, Kenzo Takada, Kansai Yamamoto, Tokio Kumagai, Kensho Abe, and Yusuke Takahashi.[2]

References

  1. ^ "History". Bunka Fashion College. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Darryl Wee (10 July 2013). "Soen and Soen Fashion Award Exhibition at Bunka Gakuen". Blouinartinfo. Tokyo. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  3. ^ Misha Janette; Samuel Thomas (8 July 2013). "This month's genuine pearls of fashion wisdom". The Japan Times. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Bunka Fashion College". Fashion Spyder. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Soen. The fashion journal for people who love fashion". Japanese Streets. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  6. ^ Kyoko Koma (2011). "Acculturation of French fashion in Japan after World War II: Fashion as a device constructing identity". Acta Orientalia Vilnensia. 12 (1): 63–77. doi:10.15388/AOV.2011.0.1097.
  7. ^ "The History of Soen and the Soen Prize. DRESSCAMP, Somarta, Issey Miyake and Others". Fashion Headline Japan. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2016.