Tags
Comme des Garcons., feather head dress, Junya Watanabe, medusa hair style, Paris Fashion Week, prairie inspired dress, Rei Kawakubo, sea nymph, Spring/Summer 2014 Collections, tentacled garments, Yohji Yamamoto
Junya Watanabe
(image from fortyfiveten.com):
is known for his anti-fashion design perspective
which he developed under the mentorship of
Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons.
…
He is innovative with materials used, technology applied,
silhouettes formed and attitudes challenged.
…
His has had a long and illustrious career.
After completing his design studies in 1984
at Bunka Fashion College, Tokyo,
(Yohji Yamamoto is also an alumnus.)
Mr. Watanabe began work at Comme des Garcons.
In 1990 he launched his eponymous label
under the Comme des Garcons umbrella –
continuing to create within his design family.
…
Like his compatriots Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto
Mr. Watanabe shows in Paris, defies conventions
and ruffles a few sensibilities along the way.
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His are the eyes of a visionary –
one who images an ideal:
otherworldly, abstract, fanciful
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His collection for PFW, s/s 2014
seems bound to things of land, of sea, of mystery.
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The models’ hairstyles were reminiscent of
the mythological Medusa who – it is written
had live snakes, instead of hair, growing from her head.
The Watanabe models sported a hair-do,
which almost seemed to have a life of its own –
some adorned with elaborate feather headpieces.
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In addition to this element of myth and mystery,
there is a sense of a nautical presence.
Not nautical as in sailing on calm seas during a sunlight day
but rather that of something dark, which lurks
thousands of leagues under the sea, creatures
tentacled, patient, expectant.
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The opposite is also expressed –
of existence on dry land.
In this context, there seems reference
to the fearless, adventurous
settlers to the rugged Ole West
and of the proud indigenous communities.
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There is also a combining of these elements;
as in a tale summarised by outline
of the relevant points.
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The colour palette is subdued, mostly restricted to 3b :
black, blue, brown.
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The appeal of Mr. Watanabe’s s/s 2014 collection is its
inventiveness which inspires
thought, reflection and story:
at once a juxtaposition and
a blending of contrast.
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(images from fashionising):
Junya Watanabe, s/s 2014
The Collection
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