Designer Sayori Tanaka and creative director Akira Kuboshita want to become Japan's answer to Acne Studios, and they organized their first presentation in Paris for Tanaka to demonstrate it. “A lot of people love Japanese denim, but there isn't a strong Japanese denim brand yet,” Tanaka explained in her showroom.
Before launching the brand in 2017, Tanaka, who got her start at Yohji Yamamoto, was women's design director on Uniqlo's global design team, while Kuboshita held the same role in the retailer's menswear. Since launching their brand, they have gained around 100 distributors worldwide, including Bergdorf Goodman, 10 Corso Como and United Arrows in Japan. Their contemporary silhouettes are based on heavy Japanese denim, with elegant cuts and construction, but with artistic or urban touches.
Here, a trip to New Mexico last summer influenced the design aesthetic. Individual pieces of selvedge were curled into cropped blouses with puffed sleeves loosely inspired by flowers, or draped and pleated as long dresses, while bright pink workwear was embroidered with pieces of rock crystal. Paisley motifs (like a block print on ecru denim or a reversible silk quilted jacket) and a bright color palette lent a hippie vibe, while wide-leg pants (presented in denim, chocolate leather or printed silk) with A zippered front panel on the skirt were multitasking. in this attractive androgynous wardrobe.
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