Shinya Kozuka, the Japanese designer known for his whimsical and emotionally resonant designs, celebrated the 10th anniversary of his brand with a captivating fashion show. Held outside Tokyo’s National Stadium, the event was aptly titled ‘picturesque or die’ and featured a runway constructed within a gigantic makeshift cage. As the cicadas chirped in the surrounding trees, Kozuka unveiled a collection that reflected on the past decade, showcasing his signature blend of playful aesthetics and heartfelt emotions.
Kozuka’s designs for this collection were a riot of color and texture. Miniature houses were intricately crocheted into knitted polo tops and embroidered onto blazers, adding a charming touch of whimsy. Rainbow tweed transformed into jumpsuits and Chanel-esque jackets, while bright splashes of paint adorned sweatpants, hoodies, and smock dresses. Pastoral scenes in toile de jouy graced canvas coats and knitted sweaters, while quaint sketches of buildings and anthropomorphic animals added a whimsical storybook feel to other garments.
The overall effect was one of uninhibited joy and weirdness, a hallmark of Kozuka’s aesthetic. Blue, a recurring color motif for the designer, was prominently featured, appearing in everything from the lighting to the envelopes containing the show notes, which were hand-painted by Kozuka himself. The runway itself was painted a deep, Yves Klein blue, further emphasizing the color’s significance.
Kozuka explained the significance of blue, revealing that it represented his close friendships. ‘I have two pairs of best friends: two from my hometown [in Osaka] and two I met before I came to Tokyo,’ he shared. ‘If I imagine them as a color, it’s blue. It’s a color I want to cherish.’
As the show concluded, a spectacular fireworks display illuminated the summer night sky, adding an unexpected and magical touch to the already unforgettable event. Although the fireworks were part of an idol concert happening across the street, the serendipitous display perfectly mirrored the celebratory atmosphere of Kozuka’s anniversary show. The fireworks, unintentional as they may have been, served as a fitting finale to a collection that resonated with both joy and a touch of melancholy, reflecting on the journey of the past decade and looking forward to the future.
