On February 11th, 2025, during New York Fashion Week, Kevan Hall and Japan Airlines debuted Journey To Japan: A Fashion and Travel Exhibition, showcasing standout pieces from Hall’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection alongside iconic archival designs worn by Charlize Theron, Naomi Campbell, and Vanessa Williams.
From his roots in Detroit, Michigan, to his rise as Design Director of Halston in New York City, and his celebrity placements on Hollywood’s red carpets, Kevan Hall has developed a masterful oeuvre of high womenswear defined by modern sensibility and the glamorous women who wear it. His designs have been worn by iconic women including Viola Davis, Michelle Obama, Anne Hathaway, Celine Dion, Chaka Khan, the late Whitney Houston, Selma Hayek, and others.
In November 2024, Japan Airlines invited Kevan Hall to embark on an inspirational journey from Los Angeles to Tokyo, and onward to Kagawa and Tokushima. Immersed in Japan’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and traditional craftsmanship, Hall collaborated with local artisans, drawing inspiration from their artistry and heritage. Hall experienced seamless travel with Japan Airlines, connecting him to Japan’s diverse regions, and uncovering hidden beauty and centuries-old craftsmanship. Along the way, he encountered master artisans dedicated to the perfection of traditional techniques, offering a glimpse into the depth of Japanese culture.
Journey to Japan celebrates three revered Japanese techniques: Suminagashi, the art of liquid marbling, where flowing ink and fluid hand movements create mesmerizing patterns; Kintsugi, the restorative craft of mending broken pottery with gold, which inspired Hall’s vision of wholeness and unconventional pattern-making; and Indigo Dyeing, a meticulous, multi-step process of extracting vibrant color from fermented indigo plants, embodying the essence of cultural identity through color.
Through these techniques, Hall forged deep connections with families preserving generational knowledge, and resonating with their artistry on both an aesthetic and spiritual level. Inspired by their precision and care, Hall highlights the importance of protecting these cultural traditions for both local communities and global appreciation.
As a heritage brand for the new millennium, Kevan Hall bridges the traditions of the East and West. The exhibition features 12 Signature designs crafted from silk organza, indigo-dyed denim, and intricate motifs such as embroidered cranes and beaded dragonflies. For the first time, Hall also presents archival pieces worn by several award-winning actresses, paying homage to his long-standing admiration for Japanese textures.
In a rich collaboration between Japan Airlines and Kevan Hall, Journey to Japan celebrates the artistry of Japanese craftspeople, weaving their generational wisdom into the vibrant fabric of contemporary American fashion.
Photos by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Japan Airlines
