Hanako Maeda, the designer behind Adeam, a New York and Tokyo-based label, has crafted a spring collection that celebrates the elegance and artistry of ikebana, the traditional Japanese floral arranging practice. This season, Maeda’s designs are not just inspired by ikebana, they embody it.
The collection’s opening look, a strapless minidress adorned with an abundance of silk flowers, is a literal embodiment of the ikebana technique. Maeda explains, “The process of making this dress was actually very similar to doing actual ikebana. When you make ikebana arrangements, you have a tray with needles – called kenzan in Japanese – where you place the stems of flowers. You keep adding more flowers and branches to create the arrangement. This dress was created in the same way, organically placing flowers.” The meticulous placement of each flower required over a day for placement and three more days of strategic sewing.
Beyond the literal interpretation, Maeda explores a more conceptual approach. A minidress with a ball gown skirt features an artful organza ruffle that evokes the cascading petals of a flower. The delicate floral embroidery on a sheer button-down shirt seems to bend with the body, creating a flowing, organic aesthetic. Flared pale blue pants also feature the intricate floral details.
Maeda incorporates a number of looks with matelassé fabrics, intricately stitched with a sunflower pattern. These fabrics are not just visually appealing but also tactile, adding another dimension to the collection’s textures.
Maeda further highlights the Japanese influence by incorporating native flowers. White hydrangeas, a common sight during the rainy season in June, adorn a bra top. Mimosas accentuate shoes, and blue camellias line a skirt.
Despite the abundance of floral elements, the collection avoids a saccharine feel. Maeda employs a muted palette of blacks, creams, whites, and navy, punctuated by dusty pinks and blues. This creates a balance between the romantic and the sporty, the delicate and the effortless.
Maeda intentionally uses the bra top in multiple looks, demonstrating its versatility and practicality. She also incorporates the ephemerality of ikebana into the collection’s styling. “Ikebana is so beautiful because it doesn’t last forever,” she explains. “I wanted to reflect this philosophy in the styling of the collection. The pieces really morph with how the wearer wants to style the piece.”
Adeam’s Spring collection is a testament to Maeda’s skillful design, blending tradition and modernity to create pieces that are both beautiful and wearable. It’s a collection that celebrates the artistry of ikebana while embracing the adaptability of contemporary fashion.
