Early start for Junya, but it’s always worth it. Can’t help but think of Richard Gray every time I see Junya, mainly because he’s probably wetting his pants right about now thinking about all those purchases he’s going to make come Jan. We’re thinking jacket exit 14? Trousers exit 35? Anyway, there’s something to be said about knowing your signature and sticking with it. Not just Richard, Junya too. Which is not to say that his collections don’t push forward – they do – but at heart it’s always Junya doing Junya. Or, in this case, Junya does Carhartt, Junya does North Face, Junya does Levi’s etc. etc. Because, like last season, Mr Watanabe has collaborated with just a few of his favourite brands, those brands he deems as the best at what they do.
The Carhartt pieces were particularly persuasive – brilliantly made workwear with Junya flourishes, patchwork fabrics and this boxy, almost shrunken fit. Trousers for the season was a generously proportioned chinos, whilst jeans were either patchworked or turned up at the ankle. There were some brilliant paint prints too, across t-shirts and jackets, which added vitality and pace. Obviously obsessed with those closing North Face anoraks that closed things out. They were properly good. As was it all. It always is, isn’t it?
Photographs by Jason Lloyd-Evans
