JUNYA WATANABE By KATIE PITTMAN | Photos by KATE STONE
J
unya Watanabe’s Spring collection focused on one priority: practicality. Long-sleeved shirts, trouser shorts, leather oxfords, and backpacks dominated his rather outdoorsy themed runway show. Looks were reminiscent of the styling in the movie "Moonrise Kingdom"—casual, yet tailored. Models patted one another on the back and gave a smile and a wave to each other as they passed, just as one might do on the hiking trails. Muted colors and neutrals were a popular pick for Watanabe’s designs, but bright primary colors made appearances about halfway through the show. Not straying far from his Comme des Garçons roots, Watanabe created simple, yet varied looks by layering collared, button-down shirts under fishermen vests and field jackets, mixing prints like floral, checkered, and plaid, and playing with proportions. Although key pieces were the main focus, zippered pockets, leather and denim paneling, and additional buttons added more to the outfits than one might imagine. The debut of a red jacket paired with yellow boots livened up the cool blue-gray used in almost every look in the show. However, no matter how many different patterns he juxtaposed, the resulting ensembles never appeared overdone. For male campus-goers headed to a more formal event, a pair of gray or khaki trousers paired with a plaid button-up and oxfords could be an option. On class days, pair a floral shirt with a solid colored pair of shorts. Keep the look from being tourist-like by choosing a small hibiscus print. Achieving a look inspired by Junya Watanabe’s Spring collection is simple: stick to clean lines, interesting details, layers, and basic patterns. With a few key clothing items and some creativity, one can imitate the finesse of the designer in almost no time.
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