Asian Street Fashion by James Bent - a book review

The influence of Asia as a centre of fashion has yet to be widely appreciated. Those in the know realise its importance as a sophisticated and selective marketplace. British-made menswear is eagerly sought after in Japan (and increasingly China and Korea) where its quality and heritage are better understood than here in Britain. We should keep an eye on Asia.

Image - Sam Baik, Seoul, October © James Bent

Given this increasing importance, I was eager to get hold of a copy of a new book Asian Street Fashion by James Bent, published by Thames & Hudson. The street photography is outstanding. The range of styles and influences is remarkable. While, inevitably with globalisation, western fashions predominate, Asian youth applies its own stamp and interpretation, often adding local culture and style to the western base. On the evidence of the book, the men's styles seem more diverse, edgy and original than the women's, which, with some exceptions, look pure western.

I liked the absence of subjects texting or talking on the mobile phone. This has become a street-style photography cliché, much over-used by even well-known photographers.

Nearly all the subjects are young. I'd have liked to see more examples of how older Asians, men and women, tackle style. The young tend to shout, "I'm wearing cool fashions!", whereas older people show their personalities in what they wear, giving them an originality lacking in more derivative young styles.

Why would I, an older western male, want to read this book? Whatever your age, the search for style involves looking widely for inspiration. There are style elements here that could be adopted by any man (or woman) of style of any age.

I'm also interested because I want to persuade anyone designing or marketing British fashion to study the book:

These images should influence and inform the future of the UK fashion manufacturing industry which, largely ignored at home, needs to look to Asia for a future.

A book for anyone with an interest in style, fashion, business, the influence of Asia or just with an interest in people.

Thames & Hudson website.