In September 2020, YOHEI OHNO exhibited its 2021 spring/summer collection in a room in Shibuya, Tokyo.
This season, YOHEI OHNO explored new shapes while maintaining the brand’s signature characteristics. A jacket with distinctive shoulder lines, which I had been interested in, was kept out of this season’s collection. Instead, the brand introduced a new jacket with shoulder lines designed after couch armrests. Every item has its own strength, from a dress made by lace pieced together to a heavily-draped dress and a skirt with square pieces of cloth assembled together. The striking design is counterbalanced with the choice of colors and textures more comfortable for everyday use. “This season, I thoroughly worked on the design of each and every item until I was convinced,” said the designer Ohno.
This season’s collection is inspired by sacred Shinto shrines. The designer shed new light on the last season’s dress with a poncho, adding sharp shoulder lines suggestive of shrine architecture, which creates noble quality of a Shinto priest’s robe. Checkered patterns with hint of Ai-zome indigo dyeing give the very impression of traditional Japanese Ichimatsu patterns. On the background of the lookbook is a drawing of a naked woman. While drawn with the Western technique, it also looks like Buddhism nirvana art. What is the meaning of fashion during this time of uncertainties in the pandemic? It seems the designer Ohno has suggested in this collection that it could create a positive vibe and calm your spirit. Maintaining his favorite focus on architecture, he found inspiration in the Japanese spirit for this season’s collection.
This season, the brand disclosed to selected audience a series of experimental dresses made of recycled kimono fabric. As sustainability is becoming important in the society, I am looking forward to seeing how YOHEI OHNO, brand that designs the manufacturing process, will develop this new line.
Brand: YOHEI OHNO
