Hiyaaa, I thought I'd share some of the interesting information I found a while ago about the French & Japanese distinctive styles of clothing, and how they both developed an appreciation & curiosity for each others Fashion. Many designers from France and Japan began a dialogue and cooperation that led to fashion incorporated elements from both countries. This new fashion was a new and exciting fusion of the two cultures in the 20th century. The Japanese designers began to work for the French Fashion industry and incorporated elements in their designs that mirrored their heritage such as cherry blossoms , their traditional kimono, Mount Fuji and geisha. After 200 years of isolation in Japan, this new openness in design made the Western and French people view Japanese designers with more appreciation. This ethnic drive of fashion is what triggered the attraction and communication between the two countries. French fashion designers and fashion design houses, like Cacharel Femme and Commes de Garcons became fascinated by these Japanese designers, and therefore joined them, creating multi-cultural clothing lines of both French and Japanese influences. Also, many couturiers, such as Charles Worth and Coco Chanel took great interest into Japanese traditional materials, prints and patterns and used them throughout their collections. There has been a very strong influence of Japanese fashion on French fashion and it has produced a new cross-cultural fashion. To me this certainly, answers the question of whether fashion acts as a bridge between cultures. 
