Parents of students at a public elementary school in Japan have been asked to buy school uniforms designed by Giorgio Armani in order to fit in with their fashionable surroundings, local media says.
The school is located in the Ginza district of Tokyo, an upscale shopping area known for its high-end department stores and fashion-conscious clientele.
It’s a reputation that’s apparently not lost on officials at Taimei Elementary School who have told parents to dress all incoming first graders in a way that reflects their prestigious neighbors.
Parents were asked to purchase a uniform designed by the Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani, according to Japanese media, which comes with a slightly higher price tag than one might expect from a public school. It will set them back about 90,000 yen ($820), a steep hike when compared to the standard uniform that costs about $100-200.
Explaining the decision to parents in a letter dated last November, the headmaster, Toshitsugu Wada, said the uniform would reflect the district given the school is “a Ginza landmark and brand.” He failed to mention, however, how much the trendy threads would actually cost.
