日本市场再无Windows Phone：微软退出竞争

Comme des Gar?ons: Redefining Japanese Fashion

Comme des Gar?ons, a Japanese fashion label founded in 1969 by Rei Kawakubo, has become an international phenomenon. Known for their unconventional designs and avant-garde approach to fashion, Comme des Gar?ons has redefined the Japanese aesthetic in contemporary fashion.

The brand's unique style is known for its use of asymmetry, draping, oversized fits, and black and white color palettes. Comme des Gar?ons has collaborated with a number of brands, including Nike, Converse, Louis Vuitton, and Moncler, to name a few.

The brand's flagship store in Tokyo, located in the trendy Aoyama neighborhood, features a striking design by Kawakubo herself. The store's brutalist exterior and innovative interior reflect the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries.

Windows Phone: The Japanese Market

The Windows Phone, a product of Microsoft, struggled to gain a foothold in the competitive Japanese smartphone market. The market was dominated by Apple's iPhone and various Android devices.

Despite its initial struggles, the Windows Phone did have some success in Japan. The brand's partnership with Japan's largest mobile carrier, NTT Docomo, helped to increase sales. Additionally, the Windows Phone's user-friendly design and integration with Microsoft Office proved popular with business professionals.

However, in 2018, Microsoft announced that it was discontinuing the Windows Phone. The decision was made due to the brand's inability to compete with the iPhone and Android devices. While the Windows Phone may no longer be in production, it remains a reminder of the challenges of entering the Japanese smartphone market.

Cosme: The Best in Japanese Whitening Products

The Japanese beauty industry is known for its innovative and effective skincare products. One particular area of focus is the whitening of the skin. Whitening products are popular in Japan, where clear, porcelain skin is highly valued.

Cosme, a leading beauty magazine in Japan, has an annual beauty awards ceremony to recognize the best products in the industry. The magazine's "Grand Prize" for best whitening serum or essence has been awarded to a number of brands over the years, including SK-II, Shiseido, and Haku.

These products use a variety of ingredients, such as Vitamin C, arbutin, and tranexamic acid, to brighten and even out skin tone. While controversial, these products continue to be popular in Japan and are just one part of the country's obsession with skincare and beauty.