Junya Watanabe Homme Spring 2010
Rei Kawakubo’s protege, Junya Watanabe,tossed aside the futuristic deconstructionism which has defined the style of Comme des Garcons, and aimed for a refined nostalgia. For the past couple of seasons, the characters Watanabe had referenced ranged from the early American stockbroker to a colonial traveler, then an all-American hunter and now in Spring/Summer 2010, Watanabe brings back the noblisse oblige at the country club, a la A Place in the Sun, with Monty Clift and Liz Taylor with a Japanese twist.There is this trend of nostalgia, right now, to a time and place that doesnt exist anymore, a cultured world of manners, and etiquette, that people are suddenly finding so fascinating. See the fascination with Mad Men.
Junya Watanabe’s Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection, consisted of some highly anticipated pieces. “The lineup, defined as snobby by the famed designer, paired a variety of essentials into a comprehensive collection of contemporary menswear. Highlighting the new seasonal selections from Watanabe were finely crafted trench coats, blazers, and jackets accented with crisp fitted shirts and trousers.” Is that a gingham blazer/hat combo we see?
Junya Watanabe's Spring 2010 collection showcased some light whites and khaki chinos paired with classic plaid sports jackets cleverly patterned with pocket squares. Next, short suits were artfully mismatched with brightly printed shorts. The runway then evolved into Watanabe’s more creative takes on classics with nylon parkas meshed with short suits to create a pine stripe navy parka and Bermuda combo. Another trend to note in Watanabe’s collection is his take on the traditional Scottish raincoat- Mackintosh. Watanabe sent mackintoshes in varying colors with contrasting collars down the runway paired with rolled up denim that seem lovingly worn-in instead of deliberately patched. The finale of white shirts with off-beat details such as exposed plackets and oversize collage pockets, tucked into white shorts and decorated with oversize printed neckwear ended the collection. Watanabe’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection is thematically cohesive and very wearable.
- The trends are rapidly copied by H&M and others today. The two toned shoe trend for men shown in this collection for Spring 2010 is already available for purchase at H&M. H&M have a red&white two toned men's shoe, that retails for $59.00, just in at the San Francisco flagship store. Sales are brisk.
Nostalgia is sexy: There has never been anyone sexier or more nostalgic than Blondie at the height of her fame. Blondie anticipated the current interest in nostalgia over 30 years ago. Here she is dressed in a fabulous mod Stephen Sprouse outfit circa1978, singing a early 60's blues inspired song. Blondie was to men, what Elvis was to women. Pure Sex. That's really what nostalgia is all about. (Mad Men is sexy, because it reminds people how dressy nice, is sexy).
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