The invitation for Junya Watanabe’s spring 2013 collection depicted a city skyline and suggested that Watanabe was refocusing his recent outdoor inspired pastoral collections into a wardrobe relevant for the metropolis.
Watanabe explored a more preppy approach to menswear, which was sharper and more structured than recent seasons. Presenting a myriad of spring suits in pale blue, khaki and pale gray the collection communicated low-key style that was easy on the eye.
Pants were cropped above the ankle or cut into Bermuda shorts. Signature elbow patches, pocket trims in shirt fabrics, floral shirts and signature work wear in heavy denim jacket continued Watanabe’s fascination with creating practical clothing for his loyal customer – although it does feel that it has been revisited for too many seasons.
What Watanabe’s collections lack in fashion innovation they gain in the designer’s attention to detail and craft of textures, colour and structure. Watanabe’s straightforward utility to design is distinct and his menswear language is wholly confident and is focused on a strict language of masculine style.
