"Laughing on the Runway," serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine, is a rare shonen manga about the fashion industry. However, its depiction of themes like friendship and hard work, typical of shonen manga, has garnered significant attention, even from those who aren't interested in fashion. The anime adaptation of "Laughing on the Runway" will begin airing in January 2020, so let's take a look at some of the most stylish and memorable fashions featured in the series, ranked.
There are two types of fashion worn by models
First, before introducing the rankings, it's important to note that the fashion in the series is divided into two main categories. Simply put, it's the difference between clothes that can be worn on a daily basis and those that can't. In the fashion industry, they're called "real clothes" and "mode," respectively. Let's first explain each in more detail.
Free and Original "Mode"
Mode fashion, which you might encounter while walking around town, deals with the so-called extraordinary. It's likened to a "painter" in the story, and is a style that's almost like art, packed with the fashion designer's ideas and individuality. In "Laughing on the Runway," designer Tohru Ayano, who displays exceptional talent as a designer, showed his designs at the Geika Festival fashion show, drawing a large crowd to see his designs.
Everyday "Real Clothes"
In contrast to mode, "real clothes" refers to a style of design that can be worn in everyday life. It's often referred to as "advertising design" and is a style you'll often see. Because it's not a unique design, it requires meticulous and delicate skill from the designer, a skill that the protagonist, Ikuto Tomura, excels in in the story. Another distinctive feature is the intimate feel of the designs, which are tailored to the models wearing them.
5th Place: Karu Kizaki's Fiery Passion
For the Geikasai Fashion Show, Karu Kizaki's creations embodied her passion for fashion. While the designs were influenced by her idol, Hajime Yanagida, they also revealed the passion she brings to the Geikasai. Furthermore, her determination to not lose to her rivals was apparent. Her competitive spirit against Ikuto Tomura in particular was a culmination of her competitive spirit, determined to beat him.
Kimono-Based Designs Shown at the Geika Festival
The designs showcased at the Geika Festival fashion show were based on kimono but incorporated leather accents. As the model walked down the runway, sparks of light seemed to fly like afterimages, clearly demonstrating Kaoru Kizaki's passion. The judges had seemed bored up until then, but as soon as her turn came, they were inspired, and the mood changed to one of excitement.
Skillful Use of Leather
The leather used in various sections was embellished with intricate embroidery. Embroidery on leather, a hard material, requires considerable skill, and the fashion concept, which followed a single path, earned high praise from the judges. Furthermore, the design received thunderous applause from the audience, demonstrating its high level of perfection.
4th Place: Clothes that Make Fujito Chiyuki Look Her Most Attractive
The clothes made for Fujito by Ikuto Tomura, which appeared in the first episode of "Laughing on the Runway," also made a striking impression. Fujito Chiyuki asked Ikuto to make her "clothes that make her look her most attractive," and he gave her some of his Mille Neige clothes, and he did his best to make them. Up until then, Fujito Chiyuki had repeatedly failed Mille Neige auditions due to her height, but the clothes Ikuto made for her were the catalyst that led to her passing.
A 158cm tall model walks the runway at Paris Fashion Week
Shizuku, Chiyuki Fujito's mentor, once modeled at the Paris Fashion Week. Seeing her walk the runway, Chiyuki Fujito aspires to become a model herself, but gives up when she only grows to 158cm tall. Still, she persists, and when she shows up to an audition wearing clothes designed by Ikuto Tomura, Shizuku sees her walking the runway at Paris Fashion Week.
Later, Mille Neige buys them for 2 million yen
"The clothes that make Chiyuki Fujito look her most attractive" inspired Chiyuki Fujito to pursue a career as a model. The same is true for Ikuto Tomura, who created them, and they also inspired him to pursue a career as a designer. In the story, Ikuto Tomura's dream of becoming a designer is nearly shattered due to financial issues, but then Kenji Fujito, Chiyuki's father and president of Mille Neige, shows up. Kenji, who had previously expressed interest in purchasing the design, later agreed to do so for 2 million yen, allowing Ikuto Tomura to focus on design.
3rd Place: The Butterfly That Landed at Tokyo Collection
Through Kenji Fujito's introduction, Ikuto Tomura began working at Hajime Yanagida's atelier. Yanagida had decided to exhibit at Tokyo Collection, a forum for his future, and Ikuto Tomura accompanied him. However, troubles plagued the scene, causing chaos backstage. Following Yanagida Hajime's instructions, Ikuto Tomura remade the final outfit for Chiyuki Fujito, leading the show to a successful conclusion.
Ikuto Tomura's Design Completed in a Short Time
Although this was Ikuto Tomura's first time working on a fashion show, he frantically worked to remake the outfit for Chiyuki Fujito. He lost track of his surroundings in the situation where no mistakes were allowed, but her words helped him regain his composure. The models who walked the runway also made time to finish making their costumes, and they managed to complete the outfit just in time, completing Ikuto Tomura's adaptation of Yanagida Hajime's design.
A series of problems led to Chiyuki Fujito taking over
Chiyuki Fujito was not originally scheduled to walk the runway. However, on the day of the show, one of the models who was scheduled to appear was stranded in China. Furthermore, Moriyama, who was helping him with the project, collapsed from overwork, and Yanagida Hajime almost gave up, thinking it was all over. However, Chiyuki Fujito was suddenly dispatched. Kenji Fujito arranged for Chiyuki to be sent out, and Yanagida Hajime reluctantly allowed her to participate so that all the costumes they had prepared could be shown off.
A Trick Was Activated at the Halfway Point
The costume, which was somehow remade in time, contained a playful twist from Ikuto Tomura. Before sending off the nervous Chiyuki Fujito, he warned her, "Don't fall," but at the halfway point, the base of her heel nearly came off. Chiyuki Fujito fell, but this was the moment the trick was activated, and her skirt flared out, creating a stage like a butterfly had descended on the runway. Yanagida Hajime asked if it was planned, but Tomura Ikuto replied that it was just for fun, revealing his deep interest in fashion.
2nd Place: Ayano Toh's Design Shown at the Geika Festival
In "Laughing on the Runway," Ayano Toh is one of the most talented designers in the history of Geika Fashion University, and his aunt is Tohno Mai, CEO of the top brand "Aphro I dite." He truly seems born to design clothes, and with his keen observational skills, he could be said to be Ikuto Tomura's greatest rival. Furthermore, Ayano Toh himself has a strong interest in Ikuto Tomura.
The Theme: Harmony Between the Ordinary and the Extraordinary
The Geika Festival coincidentally shared the same theme as Tomura Ikuto: "Harmony." However, as the two designers are polar opposites, Ayano Toh's designs tend to be more fashionable, and the designs themselves are unimaginable for students. On the runway, he presented a unique idea: he prepared designs for both the ordinary and the extraordinary, all based on the same concept, and had the two of them walk simultaneously. The gallery gathered to see Ayano Toh, and as expected, he received thunderous applause.
Meticulous Calculations That Impress Professionals
The judges for the fashion show included not only the school principal, but also model Seira and top fashion designers. However, all of the designs received high praise, and in the story they were described as "difficult to make." This shows that Ayano Toh's talent has reached a whole new level, and he also possesses a wealth of taste when it comes to fashion color schemes.
Still, He Couldn't Beat His Aunt
Toh Ayano had the idea of going independent and starting his own brand, but only if he could beat his aunt at the Geika Festival. Mai Ayano herself was open to going independent, but Toh Ayano feared that if he failed the Geika Festival and went independent, his aunt's brand would be associated with him, so he fought desperately for his own. However, in the end, Toh Ayano was unable to surpass his aunt, and he ended up working as a designer at "Aphro I dite."
1st Place: Fashion Traveling the World
The number one design in the "Laughing on the Runway" design ranking is "Fashion Traveling the World," which Ikuto Tomura showcased at the Geika Festival. Having made it to the finals as an external contestant, Ikuto Tomura juggled a limited budget and time to complete his costume in time for the day. Along the way, he faced major challenges, including his mother's collapse, but his journey of overcoming them one by one is also not to be missed. His first fashion show, which was realized in this way, must have made a huge impact on many people.
Traditional Costumes from Around the World Transformed into Uniquely Japanese Clothing
The costume designs showcased blended traditional Japanese attire with elements of traditional clothing from around the world. The first outfit featured traditional British tartan, giving everyone in attendance the feeling that they were about to embark on a global journey. Next, costumes incorporating elements of traditional clothing from around the world were unveiled, including, of course, French elements, a staple in the fashion industry.
Designs Focused on the Wearer
Ikuto Tomura's costumes are characterized by their attention to the models wearing them. As models themselves commented, "They're beautiful," it's clear that designer Ikuto Tomura designs with the wearer in mind. The Geikasai Fashion Show will demonstrate that, rather than eccentric designs like those worn by Toh Ayano, which are meant to show off talent or individuality, he creates designs that people truly want to wear.
The final design was a more everyday, simple design.
As the fashion show approached its climax, the judges' excitement grew. "Which country will we end up in? It's bound to be Paris," speculated the judges. Paris was the destination for the ninth outfit. The final, tenth outfit was a simple, sewn piece, devoid of any unnecessary design. It was a moment that stunned everyone, and a culmination of Ikuto Tomura's skill.
Summary
Even those unfamiliar with fashion can enjoy "Laugh at the Rankings" thanks to its detailed descriptions and well-calculated panel layouts. The fashion show scenes, in particular, are sure to impress with the author's artistic skill. The story also depicts Ikuto Tomura and his friends pouring their all into their work, making it a must-see. There are many other costumes featured in addition to those introduced here, so be sure to check them out.
