In everything from palette to music selection, the AW13 Kolor men’s show was an emotional affair. A somber palette carried through the space by sallow faced young men created an air of reserved solitude that matched the solo piano playing in the background. Muted earth tones on classic menswear silhouettes appeared in soft casual fabrics, while the details of coloring and construction politely differentiated the style of designer and Bunka graduate Junichi Abe. The sea of conservative cuts would have been depressing had it not been interrupted by the drops of colour rippling throughout the collection. A hot pink sweater here, a bright green marshmallow jacket there and neon orange piping scattered in between created a mysterious dynamic in the interplay of boyhood innocence and a coming-of-age story.
The European market will gravitate towards a pair of dip-dyed grey and indigo suits as well as the zip top sweaters and dress shirts with exposed stitching. However, it seems the subtle communication in this collection may be best understood by its strong Japanese clientele.
Ford Leland