The late Isaburo Namiki opened Namiki Women’s and Children’s Dressmaking Shop at 6-147 Aoyama Minami-cho, Akasaka-ku, Tokyo. In this shop, women’s and children’s dressmaking school was established.
1922大正11年
The school was developed into Bunka Sewing School with the cooperation of the late Seijiro Endo.
1923大正12年
It was approved as Japan’s first dressmaking school by Tokyo Prefecture under the School Ordinances.
The date of June 23rd was declared as the anniversary day of the school’s founding, and the name was changed from Bunka Sewing School to Bunka Sewing School for Women, which had about 100 students.
1935昭和10年
Namiki Gakuen was established as an incorporated foundation, and approved by the Ministry of Education.
It was Japan’s first dressmaking vocational school to have been approved as an incorporated foundation.
1936昭和11年
“Bunka Dressmaking Course” that comes in six volumes was completed.
Japan’s first fashion research magazine “Soen” was launched.
The school’s name was changed to Bunka Fashion College.
1953昭和28年
French designer Christian Dior, accompanied by 11 people (including seven models), was invited to the College. His fashion shows were held in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, as well as at Bunka Fashion College.
1955昭和30年
The College’s campus building was completed, which was the first high-rise cylindrical school building in Japan’s architectural world. With nine floors above ground and one underground floor, the building covered an area of about 10,000 square meters.
The College’s first international student, Virya Chitinanda, who was from Thailand, came to Japan.
1956昭和31年
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the magazine “Soen,” the Soen Award was established. Winning this award is a passport to success for fashion designers.
1957昭和32年
Male students were permitted to enroll in the instructor course for the first time since the founding of the College. A total of 23 male students were given the permission.
Bunka Fashion College Correspondence Division was established.
1958昭和33年
Budding French designer Pierre Cardin visited the College.His work shows were held at the College’s auditorium.
1961昭和36年
Pierre Cardin visits the College again and is made an Honorary Professor.
Ladies’ magazine “Misesu” (Mrs.) launched.
Cardin High Fashion established.
1963昭和38年
In commemoration of the College’s 40th anniversary, the design awards “Namiki Award” and “Endo Award” established.
Bunka Fashion College correspondence course accredited by the Ministry of Education.
1969昭和44年
Bunka Fashion College establishes a sister school partnership with Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) — State University of New York.
1973昭和48年
With the 50th anniversary of its founding, the College changes its name from Namiki Gakuen to Bunka Gakuen.
1974昭和49年
50th Anniversary Scholarship Program established.
1976昭和51年
Special training college system implemented and Bunka Fashion College approved by Tokyo as a vocational college.
1979昭和54年
Endo Memorial Hall, which has an area of about 13,000 m², with eight floors above ground and two underground floors, completed. Main Hall used for graduation and matriculation ceremonies.
Fashion show held in Endo Memorial Hall by renowned designers graduated from the College (Mitsuhiro Matsuda, Hiroko Koshino, Akiko Kitahara, Isao Kaneko, Junko Koshino, Kenzo Takada, Tadaomi Sakaide, Norio Suzuki, Yoji Yamamoto, Yutaka Hasegawa).
1980昭和55年
Bunka Gakuen Technical Encouragement Special Fund set up. Toiliste (patternmaker) Award established.
New education system established together with three new departments: Fashion Creation Department, Fashion Technology Department, and Fashion Marketing and Distribution Department.
1981昭和56年
Europe study tours started.
1983昭和58年
Fashion Accessories and Textiles Department established.
1987昭和62年
Gymnasium completed.
School Festival: supported by Swiss Textile Promotion Council and Nisshinbo.
Open judge system introduced at the Bunka Fashion College fashion contest.
Submissions invited for first competition bearing a corporate name “NISSHINBO Design Award.”
1988昭和63年
Sister school partnership established with Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology.
Invited to hold fashion show at Fashion Exhibition ’88 in Shanghai.
School Festival: sponsored by Nisshinbo.
Entrusted by the Ministry of Education to research and develop of advancement of professional education in technical colleges, continuing thereafter.
1989平成1年
School Festival: Sponsored by Ratti of Italy.
1990平成2年
Friendship and academic exchange agreement concluded with East China Institute of Textile Technology (now Donghua University) in Shanghai.
With the support of Daiei, “Daiei Awards” competition held, and Daiei Scholarship established.
School Festival: Sponsored by Toray and Teijin.
1993平成5年
Antique art study tour to Shanghai. Joint fashion show held with East China Institute of Textile Technology.
“World of KENZO” held to commemorate the College’s 70th anniversary.
1994平成6年
New curriculum starts, transfers to credits system.
College takes part in Acacia Festival in Dalian, China.
School Festival: Sponsored by France Textile and Clothing Promotion Council and Lyon Textile Center.
Fashion show held in Seoul by volunteer alumni returned to South Korean.
1995平成7年
UK designer, Paul Smith, visits the College.
School Festival: Sponsored by Moda Made In Italy and Platform Moda Operandi.
1996平成8年
Bunka Fashion Open College starts.
College invited to Japan-Romania friendship event and students show their works in Bucharest.
School Festival: Sponsored by Moda Made in Italy and Italy Silk.
1998平成10年
New school building based on the first stage campus planning completed.
School Festival: Sponsored by Japan Creation.
Tasaki Jewelry Contest launched.
2003平成15年
Shinjuku Bunka Quint Building completed. College celebrates 80th anniversary.
“80 Creators” event held by college alumni.
In collaboration with Donghua University (former East China Institute of Textile Technology), Japan Bunka Fashion College opens inside the University.
With the 80th anniversary, the Namiki and Endo Awards are renamed to the “Bunka Fashion College Fashion Contest”.
2005平成17年
Dutch footwear designer, Jan Jansen, appointed Visiting Professor.
7th IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institute) held at Bunka Fashion College.
Bunka Fashion College is the only school to participate in the first fashion collection of the nation-sponsored Japan Fashion Week (JFW).
2006平成18年
Japan’s first professional postgraduate school in the field of fashion, “Bunka Fashion Graduate University” established.
Celebrates the 70th anniversary of “Soen,” a women’s magazine, with a fashion show in Laforet, Harajuku.
2007平成19年
Italian designer, “The God of Denim” Adriano Goldschmied, visits the College.
Holds 1st High School Fashion Design Award, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and others.
School Festival features works using “Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coin,” which is sponsored by Austrian Embassy.
2008平成20年
First directly managed school, Bunka Fashion College Hiroshima campus, opened.
2010平成22年
Pierre Cardin, an Honorable Professor of the College, visits. A fashion show is held in the College to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of his atelier.
Fashion show held in Nara to celebrate 1,500th anniversary of the relocation of the Nara Heijo-kyo Capital.
Advanced Fashion Expert students form collaboration with Shenkar College of Engineering, Design, and Art of Israel.
2011平成23年
Fashion show featuring Tsumori Chisato’s collection held in Bunka Fashion College.
“Runway for Japan” event held in support of earthquake recovery.
2012平成24年
International student hall opened in Fuchu.
College selected for Fashion Global Human Resource Development Industry-University Collaboration Consortium by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Bunka Fashion College receives award from the Chinese government on 10th anniversary of collaboration with Donghua University.
Lumei & Bunka International Fashion College established, with Japanese language education as part of its curriculum.
2013平成25年
Fuji Student Hall renewed as “Shion Student Hall” and a base for student alumni and other activities.
Special general meeting, “Sumire-kai” held to commemorate the College’s 90th anniversary.
16th IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institute) international meeting and annual convention is held at Bunka Fashion College.
2014平成26年
Newly established courses in the Fashion Marketing and Distribution Department begin “Global Business Design Course (4 years),” “Contemporary Retail Management Course (1 year),” and “Foundations of Styling and Distribution Course (2 years evening program).”
Former Honorary President, Chie Koike passes away. Memorial ceremony was organized by the school, and memorial meeting was hosted by alumni.
2015平成27年
First class from Lumei & Bunka International Fashion College, established in 2012, come to Japan and transfer to the third year of Creative Design (Advanced Diploma).
2016平成28年
College participates in “JENESYS 2016,” an exchange program aimed at promoting understanding of Japan, and promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
21 students and 2 teachers visit the Kingdom of Cambodia for 9 days.
2017平成29年
UK designer, Paul Smith, visits the College and gives a special lecture.
