If Junya Watanabe is still creating each collection “from zero,” as he claimed in a recent article, and opts to let us see his clothing as our own minds will, his Autumn 2014 Ready to Wear collection gives us exceptional interpretive leeway. To some minds, it calls forth gothic faeries. To some, there could be dainty, delicate rock stars on the runway. No matter the symbolism – or simply admiration – the scalpel-like precision in cut and volume brings a knowing smile: he’s done it again.
Review after review of Watanabe’s attempts to interpret his work, but closes with an admission that the clothing translates as well on the street as it seems artistic on the runway. Women want to wear his creations. This season, petal upon petal layer into skirts, variation and visual interest coming from the construction and from the multiple textiles themselves. Feathers wrap sleekly around pale faces, capping what should be tough girl biker jackets. Ruffles, gathers, and more petals counter slim cut blazers, keeping the collection amusingly feminine.
Virtually devoid of colour (a single burgundy tuxedo stripe shows on a trouser), this all-black collection doesn’t leave a girl wondering where in the world she would wear such edgy garb. Rather, a girl sees each look and wracks her brain to come up with an occasion to don such fantastic – in all senses – pieces.
Images courtesy Style.com
by Alison Santighian