Photography Marie-Amélie TonduFashion / ShowJunya Watanabe Man SS15The elusive designer creates a denim-led collection, referencing and reworking Japanese traditionShareLink copied ✔️June 27, 2014FashionShowTextIsabella BurleyPhotographyMarie-Amélie TonduJunya Watanabe Man SS15 Initial reaction: A reimagining of Japanese workwear through patchwork denim, bold graphic characters and batik prints. How it was worn: With black, slicked back hairpieces creating a look somewhere between sumo wrestler and Manga classic Astro Boy. Models walked in square-toed leather Zōri, and eyebrows were a theatrical dark black, recalling the make-up of Kabuki – a traditional art form that combines dance and drama. Myth and mystery: Junya Watanabe is one of fashion’s most elusive myth makers, and there is always a great deal of mystery surrounding his references. SS15’s soundtrack – the laboured grunts of sumo wrestlers rehearsing, which turned into jazz – provided something of a clue, indicating an inspiration found in the discipline and ritual of both the sport and Japanese culture at large. Last season, Watanabe mixed punk plaids with English heritage. See it below: Junya Watanabe Man AW14Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MORELoewe AW26 is daring you to come outside and playLVMH Prize 2026Vote to decide which designer makes the final round of the 2026 LVMH PrizeThe rise of EsDeeKid in 5 tracksInside ADON, the elusive London brand with Timothée Chalamet on speed dialMugler AW26 takes us on a power trip down memory laneCourrèges AW26 thinks we all have the same 24 hours in a dayDries Van Noten’s stylish school kids flouted the uniform rulesAcne Studios gets the royal treatment for AW26How Team Oakley won gold at Milano Cortina 2026 BurberryKate Moss, Little Simz, and more celebrate 170 years of BurberryIn pictures: David Luraschi captures model of the moment, Serkan Deniz FILAFrom track to concrete: Fila reimagines sportswear in the city for AW26Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy