Junichi Abe is all about taking traditional shapes and subverting them with whimsical, decorative elements.
“I wanted to express something about feeling incomplete,” the designer said about his choice to add constellations of geometric appliqués or poufs of multicolor fur to the season’s looks.
But while the patchwork trend typically goes hand-in-hand with deconstruction, loose threads and a DIY vibe, Abe started with a base of clean-cut tailoring with retro inspirations.
The silhouettes on coats and long-sleeve cocktail dresses had an Ivy League bent, but the collection relied less obviously on Americana than the designer’s men’s show, which featured many of the same decorative elements.
For all its whimsical details, the collection felt functional and approachable — even the overdyed fur pouf sandals landed in the wearable category.