For next Spring 2013 the Issey Miyake design team continued to explore function and practicality and accomplished a youthful collection that had a dynamic energy.
‘Paper, Light and Cycling’ were the catalysts behind the collection as boys pedaling pushbikes opened the show signalling a procession of sensible gear. Formed from paper garments, the team used Washi paper, an ancient Japanese textile that has been used for centuries to create everyday clothing.
While an unorthodox use of textiles has sometimes made Miyake’s clothes challenging to wear, the new graphic paper treatment gave the garments a modern relevance and ease. The signature nonconformist approach to silhouette has also defined the Miyake brand since its conception, but this time around the clothes had added functionality and therefore became highly covetable.
Blousons, jackets and coats were worn with cropped pants while waterproof reflector tape was used as a highlight. Biker jackets and tie dyed fabrics further endorsed a youthful vigor while geometrical, square shapes shown confidence by the design team - two of which took a bow at the end of the show (last season there were five!)
Apparently Issey Miyake himself was involved in the direction of the show after 18 years away from menswear, and this new streamlined direction showed the master indirectly at work, and in doing so bringing the collection into a more modern and relevant context.
