Jun Takahashi’s latest women’s collection used classic, retro silhouettes and a wide range of bright and rich colors to express different emotions, namely joy and sadness.
He wrote in his notes for the season that the offering “shows hope for a brighter future from our dark times.” He also incorporated prints created from his own watercolor paintings, which he said was a hobby that was relatively new to him. “I usually paint in oils, so I rarely paint in watercolor,” he wrote in an email. “This time I wanted to express the ‘blurred worldview’ of watercolor painting, so I went ahead and tried.”
Takahashi paired punchy shades of contrasting hues for looks that were full of optimism. Sunny yellow flowers were printed throughout a sky blue shorts suit, while bright red and green apples popped on beige or black backgrounds. Other scenes were slightly more complex, with idyllic cottages splashed across a cream-colored pantsuit and baby blue skirt and jacket trimmed in green lace. He also employed ample use of texture, showing long, fuzzy cardigans, sheer polka-dot dresses, and plush jacquard sweatpants in bright red.
“I wanted to create a classic ’50s/’60s vibe, but subvert it slightly, so I decided to go with fabrics I hadn’t used before, such as long pile faux fur and lamé,” the designer said. But it wasn’t only the unconventional fabrics that made the retro shapes feel modern; they also had a relaxed casualness that was very of the moment. Easy, pull-on trousers, wide-legged shorts, an oversize striped shirt, and a textured jersey bomber all represented the kinds of comfortable yet elegant pieces that are so in demand at the moment.
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Takahashi rounded the collection out with whimsical handbags also inspired by his own paintings, including a pair of rigid, shiny apples held together by gold stems that came together at the handle.