# Ethnic Hybrid Denim Japanese 'Wa' Patterns Give Clothes a Nationalistic Feel By Tisah Tucknott | Published 2009-05-26 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nationalistic-fashion-japanese-wa References: [web-japan.org](http://web-japan.org/trends/08_fashion/fas090306.html) & [japanese-style.net](http://www.japanese-style.net/contents/cloth/) Japanese designers have started to incorporate *wa* patterns to give their clothing an ethnic feel. This fashion innovation mixes old, traditional motifs with modern products to create a unique look. Japanese *wa* include patterns such as *Kyo yuzen* or indigo dyeing, *ho-chiku-bai* or pine, bamboo and apricot motifs; and *tsuru-kame*, or crane and tortoise. **Implications** - It has recently been predicted that within the next decade, there will be one master race of intertwined ethnicities, which grows more and more feasible with every passing day. The visible minorities of North America are no longer so, with multiculturalism serving a the norm in many regions. Companies and ad agencies must take this into consideration, and would be wise to adapt ethnicities for the mass population. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Ethnic Fusion Fashion:** Combining traditional Japanese 'wa' patterns with modern clothing to create a unique ethnic look. - **Cultural Hybridization:** Incorporating diverse ethnic influences into fashion designs to cater to the multicultural market. - **Ethnic Heritage Revival:** Bringing back traditional ethnic patterns and motifs in contemporary fashion as a form of cultural expression. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion and Apparel:** Opportunity for clothing brands to tap into the growing demand for ethnic fusion fashion. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Adapting ethnicities and multiculturalism in advertising campaigns to resonate with the mass population. - **Ethnic Craft Industry:** Reviving traditional ethnic patterns and motifs offers new opportunities for artisans specializing in ethnic crafts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kimono-Sukajan Fusion Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamato-lab.md) - [Sashiko Stitched Intricate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sashiko-gals.md) - [Pattern-Heavy Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/needles-new-collection.md) - [Japan Exclusive Denim](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanexclusive-denim-collection.md) - [Japanese Upcycling Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flower-mountain-reload-sneakers.md) - [Japanese Culture-Honoring Vases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/watoji.md) - [Artisanal Textile Dividers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artisanal-textile-divider.md) - [Heritage Outdoor Capsule](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-north-face-japan-x-sashiko-gals1.md) - [Conceptual Memory-Themed Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paranoid-fw25.md)