~ like ~ Jun Takahashi and his Graces

Jun Takahashi is the talented creative japanese designer behind the cult label undercover.

undercover

was founded back in 1988 (a brand originated with his friend);

later established as a company/fashion house (not until six years later in 1994)

never have i came across to this label, not until the year when i watched one of his earlier collection in class (around the same time when i watch Alice). i have vague memory about which collection it was, nevertheless it was one of those remarkable show i had ever seen.

his approach to designing are very much influenced by music (very much !)

his works is indeed artistic, unique and self expressive.

his version of deconstruction/reconstruction is somehow anarchy - taking his cue from the punk (he was a lead singer from a punk band himself) ;as well as inspired by life's dark side.

but yet they come along well and are still so beautiful, sending message out through his collection.

anyway,

just want to introduce his Graces if you haven't know so.

Graces

Grace is the name he gave to his dolls. 

 

doll-making in process

They are actually stuffed animal made by him and his teams (yes, doll-making is his hobby).

 

playful stuffed animal but yet quite haunting and surrealism - filled with his imagination and creativity.

they are large-scale creatures constructed from multiple cut-out parts of teddy bears, pearls, lace, light bulbs, wires ...

 

as unique or monstrous as they could be - Graces have multiple arms emerging out from body part and light bulbs supplanting onto their head; and 

as romantic or feminine as they could be - wearing vintage lace gowns and pearls.

Graces have indeed become an iconic symbol for him, prominently since his spring/summer 2009 collection.

spring summer 2009

Grace photo exhibiton in Dec 2008

doll-making performance in the Giardino di Boboli

an interview regarding his performance in the Giardino di Boboli

furthermore, he extended his experiment by travelling across japan; performing the doll-making with his team - taking its shape in front of the crowds; together with live soundtrack of electronic loud music or band on the background.

The Sound and The Fury performance across Japan

two limited edition fragrances was released in 2010 called Holygrace and Holygrapie.

perfume (( holygrace and holygrapie ))

here are videos from his doll-making performances

  

 

if you're interested in viewing more, visit his unofficial website

"The Graces spontaneously come out of me, genuinely, while making clothes is something more calculated, an entire process that requires teamwork. But doing both allows me to keep a balance in my creativity. Therefore, it makes sense to me to have everything linked." Jun Takahashi

(images courtesy from Jun Takahashi's blog)

~ like ~ Wakatsuki Chinatsu

it's the third day of may.

fourth day of the week !

what had i done ?

did some sewing yesterday.

gonna continue some hand-stitching after this (´・ω・｀)

i have been so lacked of blogging for the past few days

ʕ•̫͡ʕ•̫͡ʕ•̫͡ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

introducing ♪♪

                          wakatsuki chinatsu 

                            若槻       千夏

april 2012

april 2012

a short introduction;

chinatsu is a japanese artist who used to act and sing but now active as a model and producer for her own clothing brand w♥c

multi-talented indeed.

i used to see her in tv shows back during my stay in japan, i think that's when i know her. she is funny, cute. (*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)

but never a deep impression until lately.

she has her own column in some japanese magazines introducing her fashion and coordinates; and that's what took my interest on her.

i just love her styles.

she has one of those quirky styling from head to toe;

likewise she could just pull any looks off (*´▽｀*)

here are some which i had collated;

different coordination;

all my favourites ♪ 

→ → →

 

①　white skirt

 

left to right : March  April  Feb 2012

this look is laid back wearing hard-textured (denim, sweater, jumper) on top and a soft-flowing bottom.

② maxi skirt X sweatshirts

left to right : Oct 2011  Jan 2012  Nov 2011

you can find her a lot in this typical style for autumn-winter-look. baggy; oversized and how comfy.

③ cardi X casual

Feb 2012

how relaxed in a cardi.

④ decorative sweaters

left to right : Oct 2011 Mar 2012

i love these sweaters (≧∇≦)”  don't you ?

⑤ black X chic

left to right : April 2011 Dec 2011

she could be really chic sometimes too.

conquering the black look with accessories.

⑥　denim X denim

left to right : April 2012 Feb 2011

  

rocking with denim on denim.

the trick with this trend is making sure to balance both the fabric weights and the washes of the denim.

⑦ drapery vest

left to right : May 2011 Spet 2011

this particular piece is one of my favourite from her wardrobe.

just caught my eyes at first glance.

the drapery vest minus the fur.

⑧　girlish

left to right : July 2011 May 2012

sometime very feminine; 

with just simple pieces and minimal accessorizing.

⑨　vintage-look inspired

June 2011

i know that she has a love-for-vintage where she would fly overseas for their flee markets, not sure if she still does that.

this piece is actually from her own production line.

April 2012

now i have overloaded this post with photos (´∀`)

most of the items she put on are actually from her own production line, which i think could only be purchased in japan (;_;)”

hope you find her styles inspiring as well.

have a good day ♡

(image courtesy from wakatsuki's blog)

~ like ~ fur fur

introducing another japanese label  ~ furfur ~

the creative director behind this label is Koichi Chida.

behind the concept

fur fur ss12 photo by keita sawa

"不完全なもの、はかないものへ
のいとおしさ、
ぼろぼろで歪んだ服の中にあるエレガント。感情のある服作り、
ナチュラルであるという感覚。ファッションという文化を通して
伝え続けていきたいという想い。"
my interpretation
"a fondness towards incomplete and ephemeral things, the elegance found within tattered and distorted clothing。 creating clothing filled with emotion, with a sense of naturalness。 a desire to continue conveying this thought through the culture of fashion。"

i think this label was actually founded around 2005 under the brand name 'FUR Label' and had its first tokyo collection debut in 2007♪♪

the name was changed the following year in 2008 to what people know nowadays ~ 'furfur'. from what i have learn from its website, furfur did and still does a lot of collaborations with other well-known labels; not forgetting to mention a few like UGG, The North Face and Lee.

the latest collection from fur fur is autumn/winter 2012-13; which is very much inspired by the 1920s silhouette.

fur fur autumn/winter 2012-13

fur fur autumn/winter 2012-13

this particular collection is slightly different from what was created previously; powerful maybe? i guess it was the choice of fabrications and minimalism uses of its trademark laces and layers; together with the styling which is emphasized through the drop-waists belted look.

just in case you are wondering about 1920s fashion, it's also called the flapper-look (emerged around the mid 20s), or 'garçonne' as the French called. Flat chest, short cropped sleek hair along with a shift dress length just below the knee with lower waistline. this typical boyish-look suggested the enhancing of a new ideal feminine beauty without curves, which was also later pioneered by Coco Chanel.

fur fur spring/summer 2012

fur fur's collection shows on stages are often being exaggerated; usually overwhelmed with extreme and conceptual styling through headpieces, layers and of course the ambiance/background music of the stage - undeniably showing another expression of the clothing.

fur fur spring/summer 2012

fur fur spring/summer 2012

it took me some time finding the other photos and figuring out which pieces belong to which (ノ∀｀)

in 2010, a sub-label was created ~ YOiM ~

fur fur X YOiM autumn 2012

fur fur X YOiM autumn 2012

fur fur X YOiM summer 2012

fur fur X YOiM summer 2012

here is a video about fur fur spring/summer 2010 backstage, and designer talking about her inspiration for the collection, it's been translated in english (*´ω｀*)”

(collections image courtesy from tokyo mercedes benz fashionweek)

(look books image courtesy from zozotown)

visit fur fur homepage if you are interested to view its collection shows video ♡

it's anzac day tomorrow here in australia so happy holiday to you-who-is-from australia ♪♪

hope you like it ！ ！

~ inspiration ~ unruly

it's turning cooler here in Perth finally; autumn has arrived (supposedly?)

did some pattern-cutting yesterday (motivated day)

in front of my laptop today (oh-oh)

trying to do some layout change here and there but it didn't go smoothly as i thought 

i guess i'll finish up my last bit of pattern-cutting tomorrow?

exhibition 2010

introducing a japanese label  ~ unruly ~

founded in 2007

the designer behind this label is Yuta Kikuchi.

photoshoot for collection

behind the concept

"たとえば絵画　たとえば音楽　たとえば文章 日々感じ　日々想う事を 僕の服で表現できると信じて"

i'm trying to interpret it and it means something like

"for example painting,　for example music, for example　writings; i believe that i could express them well through my clothing about my feelings and my thoughts day by day "

without a doubt, you can find him conveying his concept well through the unique name given to the pieces he made

  

autumn/winter 2012 is the most recent collection whereas i believe that they're holding exhibitions now and for the past few months

AW2012

AW2012

AW2012

気持ち膨らむスカート

空と風のキャミソー

アンルリーワンピース

アンルリーワンピース

花束Tシャツ

あの日の思い出ワンピース

intricate-looking construction but drape just so beautifully on the body.

love it ♡♡

wish i owned one (´▽｀)

they have shops/online shop generally based in japan... not so sure where-about for overseas

(image courtesy from unruly)

~ like ~ HISUI

introducing a japanese label HISUI

HISUI was founded in 1999. the designer behind this is Hiroko Ito, and to fortify her background; she had worked for Comme des Garçons before stepping out.

as much as i love draping, layering is one of my favorite too. Hiroko Ito was assumed to be one of the first japanese designers who explored the prominent mix and match layered look for a single garment today (you will get what it means by looking at her collections)


her collections are somehow casual but yet with a feminine approach; with sophisticated and delicate details and cutting.



here are some images picked (´・ω・｀)” from her last three collections. these are all my favorites ♡

SS12 collection 'feeling of melting'

SS12 collection 'feeling of melting'

 

AW11 collection 'MIRROR'

long baggy chunky socks ( ･ั﹏･ั; )” is very typical in japanese girls styling. 
reminds me of my old days wearing this thick socks - tucking it into boots, over jeans or leggings... hehe, memories, haven't been wearing any of these for years! they are still in my closet back in Melbourne, gotta pack them up when i go back hmm..

AW11 collection 'MIRROR'

the bright colorful knitwear in the middle is to die-for （；゜０゜）”! and there is an image movie in the end of my post about this collection.





... and lastly from her 2011 SS collection

SS11 collection 'feel a sign'

SS11 collection 'feel a sign'

... video!
an image movie from her AW11 collection "MIRROR"
just such a great experience watching it.

"we can express the feeling of self movement from heart with clothing." HISUI


 
well,

hope you enjoy and love this!


interested to see more of her works?
visit her website