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As the frenetic Klezmer soundtrack echoed its way across the Parisian show space, Junya Watanabe unfurled his latest patchwork quilt of a menswear collection to add warmth and protection from even the harshest of winters. His fascination with crafting practical clothing for his ever growing customer base was focused on an inspring narrative for AW13. His parade of plucky dream chasers, proudly wore their patched suits and practical wares and dipped their felt bowlers in acknowledgement to the Eastern European immigrants that arrived in the New World back at the beginning of the twenty first century, echoing their hope and search of a better life throughout. Rich in detail and full of familiarity, it flexed and flaunted Junya’s eye for detail and careful craft of textures, colour and structure. The tailoring was disheveled, deconstructed and at times shrunken, the overcoats were large and forgiving, the denim well worn and cropped, his signature patchwork pleasingly plentiful. All ensured that this collection was nostalgic and stitched with integrity. This was an honest and modest collection that left the audience peeking past the patches to pore over the men wearing the clothes.
Text: Steve Salter
Photography: Mitchell Sams
