Junya Watanabe

Summary

Japanese fashion designer Junya Watanabe, undertook apprenticeship at Comme des Garçons as a pattern-maker. In 1987, he was promoted to chief designer of Tricot knitwear line and then moved on to design for Comme Des Garçons Homme. Circa 1992, he began worked under his own name as part of Comme des Garçons.

History

Born and raised in Fukushima, Japan, Junya Watanabe attended Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, graduating in 1984. Shortly, he undertook apprenticeship at Comme des Garçons as a pattern-maker, and was soon promoted to chief designer of Tricot knitwear line and then began designing for Comme Des Garçons Homme.

In 1992 Rei Kawakubo offered him a priceless opportunity to design his own collection under the Comme des Garçons umbrella and he showed his first womenswear collection at the concourse of Tokyo’s Ryogoku Station. Titled “Function and Practicality”, it showcased reversible pieces with the runway models stopping mid-runway to undress and invert the garments, with a simulated rain cloud overhead proving the collection to be waterproof. Genius!

The Japanese fashion designer experiments with cutting-edge fabrics and inventive tailoring and draping. His design aesthetic involves exploring a single motif each season, deconstructing and then reconstructing a single central concept. Watanabe began showing womenswear in Paris in 1992 and debuted a men’s line in 2001. During Fall Winter 2000-01, he introduced his ‘Techno-culture’ collection, a mélange of artisanal shapes and creative, experimental fabrics.

In 2007 Watanabe was licensed by Converse to produce limited edition Converse Chuck Taylors. Priced at around $84, the shoes were available at high-end global retailers including Barney’s, Colletee and Comme des Garcons, Dover Street Market. Other collaborations include Levi’s, Hervier Productions, Seil Marschall, Carhartt, Nike, Merz b. Schwanen, The North Face, ArkAir etc. In 2012, Watanabe designed the remote-control toy car The Hornet for the Tamiya Corporation and released a coordinated pair of Reebok Pump.

In March 2016 Watanabe created solar-powered men’s outerwear. In 2020 he launched a capsule collection with Brooks Brothers. He also worked with Comme des Garçons and the video game designer Yoko Taro to develop a cosplay collection. Today, he continues to work for Comme des Garcons and his atelier is located on the second floor of the Comme des Garçons headquarters in Aoyama, Tokyo.

Vision

Junya Watanabe, a protégé of Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo, is acclaimed for his visionary approach to fashion design, where avant-garde innovation meets traditional craftsmanship. His body of work is often characterized by a fascination with technology and fabric manipulation, pushing the boundaries of how garments are constructed and perceived.

Watanabe’s vision revolves around transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary, often using deconstruction, layering, and unconventional materials to redefine silhouettes. His experimental approach to fabrics includes everything from synthetic blends to recycled materials, challenging conventional ideas of what fashion can be. This forward-thinking design philosophy, paired with meticulous technical execution, has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative and influential designers in contemporary fashion.

Watanabe’s collections often reflect a deep respect for functionality and practicality, yet never at the expense of creativity. His work seamlessly merges high fashion with utilitarianism, creating garments that are both wearable and conceptually profound. Central to his vision is the idea of clothing as a form of personal expression, where innovation in design allows the wearer to redefine their identity through fashion.

While he often references streetwear, punk, and workwear, his ability to reinterpret these styles with an intellectual and artistic lens sets him apart in the fashion world. Ultimately, Watanabe’s vision is one that effortlessly combines the past and future of fashion, crafting garments that are not only visually striking but also deeply thoughtful in their construction and purpose.

Mission Statement

Junya Watanabe’s mission as a fashion designer centers on the relentless pursuit of innovation, challenging traditional notions of fashion through his experimental use of fabrics, construction techniques, and silhouettes. Watanabe seeks to push the boundaries of what apparel can represent by reimagining how materials are utilized and how garments are assembled. His work often involves deconstruction, layering, and the incorporation of unconventional materials like synthetic fabrics and recycled textiles.

By doing so, Watanabe’s mission is to merge art with functionality, creating designs that are not only visually captivating but also structurally and technically advanced. This dedication to redefining fashion through innovation is a cornerstone of his approach, making him a key figure in shaping the future of avant-garde design.

Another key aspect of Watanabe’s mission is to create clothing that allows individuals to express their unique identities, blurring the line between high fashion and everyday wear. He often draws inspiration from subcultures, streetwear, and utilitarian aesthetics, infusing them with an intellectual and artistic sensibility.

This approach reflects his belief that fashion should be both accessible and transformative, offering wearers the opportunity to redefine themselves through innovative design. By continually exploring new methods of garment creation, Watanabe aims to challenge the conventions of fashion, making it not just a form of personal expression but a medium for artistic and technical exploration.

Products and Services

Junya Watanabe’s products are known for their avant-garde approach to design, blending innovation, craftsmanship, and functionality. His clothing collections feature a distinctive use of fabric manipulation, often incorporating high-tech materials, recycled textiles, and unconventional fabrics into his designs. Watanabe is celebrated for his deconstructive techniques, where garments are taken apart and reassembled in unexpected ways, creating new forms and silhouettes.

Watanbe’s collections frequently explore themes like streetwear, workwear, and utilitarianism, merging these styles with high fashion to create clothing that is both wearable and conceptually innovative. From jackets and outerwear to dresses and accessories, his pieces often feature unique patterns, asymmetrical cuts, and intricate detailing that set them apart in the fashion world.

In addition to his main collections, Watanabe often collaborates with other brands and designers to create capsule collections and special projects. These collaborations reflect his ability to bridge the gap between high fashion and everyday wear, partnering with brands like Levi’s, The North Face, and New Balance to create products that fuse his avant-garde style with the functional qualities of these iconic brands.

Through these partnerships, Watanabe expands his reach beyond runway collections, offering more accessible yet equally innovative products to a wider audience. His services also extend into bespoke tailoring and limited-edition pieces, further demonstrating his commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion while providing a unique and personalized experience for his clientele.

Recognition and Awards

Junya Watanabe is a Japanese fashion designer recognised for his advanced approach to design and avant-garde design aesthetic. He is the protégé of Comme des Garçons founder, Rei Kawakubo.

References

• Official Website Junya Watanabe
• Junya Watanabe Vogue
• Facebook page of Junya Watanabe Facebook
• Converse X Junya Watanabe Man Hypebeast
• Spring 2024 Vogue
• Spring 2024 men’s Vogue
• Fall 2023 Vogue
• Fall 2023 men’s Vogue
• Spring 2023 Vogue
• Instagram page of Junya Watanabe Instagram
• Brooks Brothers and Junya Watanabe Team Up Robb Report
• Wikipedia page of Junya Watanabe Wikipedia
• When Junya Watanabe Designed a Remote-Control Car GQ
• Junya Watanabe, One of Fashion’s Foremost Thinkers NY Times
• Junya Watanabe High Snobiety
• Ensemble Met Museum
• Junya Watanabe Pulled A Rachel Dolezal At PFW Bustle
• Kanye West Premieres New Album Donda Pitchfork
• Exploring the Boundaries Between Fashion and Cosplay SSense