Dear Shaded Viewers,
Designer Junichi Abe presented his latest collection for Kolor autumn winter 22 with a short film, transporting the models in a magic mirror tunnel, cut off from the dull reality filled with corporate figures. Like a scene from the Matrix, the models were stuck in between, some trying to escape while others were left questioning the world outside. The mix of speed and slow motion techniques in the film, which created beautiful glitched frames, reminded me of the opening chase scene from the director Wong Kar Wai’s film Chungking Express.
On the navy carpet, models walked with their reflection like an army approaching. The collection was patched-up, deconstructed, re-assembled in beautiful asymmetric forms, making each garment one of a kind. Mismatched collars on loose sweaters, a fur sleeve peaking out of a red coat, a half cardigan attached to a sweater, a polo collar on a tartan coat, inner and outer fabrics separated in a red duffel coat revealing the inner structure within. As for accessories, scarves found their way through the open cuts inside coat collars, while cowboy inspired hats made in collaboration with Kijima Takayuki had “kolor” letters cut-outs.
Designer Junichi Abe’s message was clear, finding beauty in what is torn and broken.
