Dreamland by Shion Sugawara.

LMNOP partnered with Playtime to host its 2nd edition trade show event in Tokyo last month. 70 international brands linked to the children’s, junior and maternity universes presented collections comprising of clothing, shoes, jewellery, layette and decor. Organisers brought Playtime’s signature ‘pop and playful’ exhibition style to Japan, and over the next three days our official coverage will take you inside this exciting and unique show.

Playtime provided local artists with a platform to showcase new work especially designed for the occasion. Japanese textile artist Shion Sugawara created a magical, dreamlike town to float above exhibitors and visitors to Playtime. Sugawara’s Dreamland was made up of vivid fabrics and colourful threads – the result was imaginative and truly breathtaking.

Yusuke Jikuharra and Miki Takeda’s graphic-origami art forms were also on display. This creative duo have been adding a little pop to the traditional art of origami since 2003. Today, their brand Cochae, is a fun collection of novel toys and puzzles, books and t-shirt designs.

Madame MO
A beautiful assembly of Madame Mo products made their debut at Playtime Tokyo. Spreading happiness, prosperity, joy and good health to the kid’s world at large, this colourful brand showcased a range of decorative items, notebooks and colouring books, ragdolls, cotton shopping bags and our personal favourite, the Noren: a Japanese style curtain used throughout the home to brighten up plain spaces. This quirky brand will be making its way to Australian shores later this year. Keep reading LMNOP for more details.

Je suis en CP!
Following a successful debut at Playtime Paris, French newcomer Je suis en CP!, introduced it’s delicate collection of everyday wear for children age 0-6 to buyers in Japan. Designer Céline Prost’s playful concepts were brought to life at an exclusive atelier in Paris. She sourced many of the materials used in the range from Japan, and also included textiles from the ever popular fabric house, Liberty. The finishing of each garment is exquisite, but it is Prost’s delightful outlook which sets her designs apart from those labels dressing children in this category. She knows just where to put a dreamy cloud on a baby romper, or a pocket purse (just like mama’s) across the front of a pretty winter tunic.

Collégien
It’s official and you heard it here first – these knitted, non-slip slippers from French company, Collégien are gloriously comfortable and will take the market by storm this year. Made in France for kids and adults, Collégien’s slippers are available in a pleasing array of motifs, colours and shapes and are machine washable too. Guaranteed to keep little tots toes warm and snug this winter.

Eliza J.
Another new arrival to the kids’ fashion scene in Tokyo last month was clothing label, Eliza J. Swiss born, designer Abi Terrien has conceived a quality line of childrenswear, all ethically made and assemble entirely in Tokyo, where she now lives with her husband and two children. Terrien’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection consists of comfy 100% organic, fair-trade cottons and fleece and carries the theme of biker angels and fine feathers. French fashion designer, Patrick Stephan provided the earthy graphics and a haute couture factory in Okayama, (an area famous for it’s Giza denim) produced Eliza J’s ‘biker’ pieces for the range: a denim jacket for boys; a revved up denim pea coat for the girls; and the Giza stretch, ‘one wash’ blue jeans. We’ll feature some Eliza J. pieces on the LMNOP Blog later this month.

Come back tomorrow for day two of our official coverage of Playtime Tokyo. See you then!