IHT: Issey Miyake - Fashion in motion
Taut arms sliced the air, bodies folded like paper and then propelled into a karate kick - the Issey Miyakeshow Friday was a homage to Japanese culture and a perfect expression of the founder's credo: fashion in motion. But the current designer, Dai Fujiwara (above), took this striking collection one stage further: He froze the movement, so that the shapes formed geometric patterns and framed silhouettes. He built on the skills of the karate masters (including twin-sister champions of martial arts) to create architecture and geometry: a red coat with a kinetic explosion of pattern; pantsuits cut on graphic lines; an airy fabric folded into boxy tops. Fujiwara's intelligence was to make genuine clothes out of his theme - and to introduce other inspirations, like Japanese lacquer, which was reflected in liquid, flowing pants with a shiny surface.
