PARIS – Junya Watanabe in black in white
Junya Watanabe very graphically expressed himself in his S/S 2010 collection. The collection was a black and white exclamation point in a season of color and beige-y neutrals. Even his show location followed his graphic expression. The technically beautiful facade of the Institut de Monde Arabe located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris is another engineering masterpiece and it’s graphic beauty is other worldly much like Mr. Watanabe’s collection. This building was opened in 1987 and designed by Jean Nouvel. It’s importance was that it was devoted to the relationship of Arab culture within France. It’s southern facade shown above is constructed to resemble the traditional Arab latticework screens realized in glass and steel. Each frame has a diaphragm that opens and closes and regulates light into the building depending on the hour.
all photos – DChen
Even the interior of the basement room where the show was held, with its wide white columns and the mysterious shadow casting lighting, added to the overall vivid effect.
His silhouette was reed thin for the most part. He gave women the perfectly tailored slim pantsuit for spring. When they’ve had enough of the soft and the flowing prints and silks, they will want to reach for the perfect jacket and the perfect pant. His tailoring was superbly strong this season. Slick in solid wool/silks or in graphic patterns and checks, these are the jackets to have.
He added very intricately worked checks of every dimension in tops in jerseys and silks and did his turn with the all important white shirt for next spring.
The effective use of cloth head wraps into sculptural shapes added to the black and white positive / negative dimensions he artfully achieved. The collection was superb and it gave me some of the most beautiful photos of the season. Inoubliable, these images …..
