Here's an interesting story that I read today - a Tokyo fashion student wins a Triumph lingerie competition for her cabbage inspired underwear. I wasn't entirely sure if she used actual cabbages or if it was simply creatively designed cabbage print. You know, weird green tints with vein-like bits, possibly with a few caterpillar trails.

To be fair, this article did point out that she based her actual designs on cabbage colors and its outer look rather than mimicking its rough texture. Then again, Japan is well-known for its innovative designs and fashion and thus, you could never be sure. On the other hand, all and I mean all these other websites repeating one another with the same story didn't help clarify matters. I know the little guys are more into marketing the real news so I expected major news outlets to be in the know. And perhaps have a few pictures of the event.  

Unfortunately, the formal folks did more damage by confirming my suspicions about an underwear imitating authentic cabbage texture. Why else would almost all these folks helpfully provide pictures of a cabbage field (links here and here)? Please, take time out to have a facepalm moment. Word of advise to the news bigwigs: you can whine all you want about how your content is way better than so-called silly blogs but it doesn't help your you-must-pay-for-our-work argument when you do the same moves. Admittedly Bloggers don't have the resources and funding so they might not be able to buy a pic off Getty Images. What's your excuse?

In the end, Zimbio came to the rescue. Here is the link to the award-winning cabbage number. As stated by other articles, it was designed by Sachino Kurosu. This one notes that this event itself is called Triumph Inspiration Award 2009 which seems to be an annual event at least that's what I gathered from the company's official website. The event itself was located at Bunka Fashion College who seem to be big names in Tokyo's fashion circles.

Check out the image gallery for pictures of the winner and runner-ups. The letters-and-faces-logo-style underwear was quite weird and out there. This was before the gladiator woman theme popped up. You'll know when you see it. There's one for the birds as well.  By the way, if you thought that was interesting, check out last year's pieces at Complex. I thought the winning number was straight out of a Leisure Suit Larry moment but then I saw the traumatized teddy number.