The Power of Opposites and Functional Ambiguity
The FW25 women’s collection by Issey Miyake, presented during Paris Fashion Week, captivated the audience with its constant exploration of the relationship between innovation and tradition. Under the creative direction of Satoshi Kondo, the brand embraced the theme of opposites and ambiguities, presenting a unique vision of fashion that transcends mere aesthetics. The show began with a performance by Austrian artist Erwin Wurm, whose work deeply influenced the collection. The fusion of art, fashion, and functionality became the heartbeat of this presentation, where each garment told a story of transformation and experimentation without boundaries.
Erwin Wurm’s Performance: Art Challenging Conventions
Opening the show was a performance by Erwin Wurm, renowned for his One Minute Sculptures. In these works, Wurm invites the audience to interact with everyday objects in unconventional ways, assuming surreal and paradoxical postures. The spectator becomes part of the sculpture itself, albeit for an ephemeral period of time. This interplay between the human body and objects serves as a metaphor for the ambiguity reflected in Issey Miyake’s collection. The continuous transformation of the object, in relation to the body, mirrors the pursuit of an equilibrium between functionality and aesthetic expression that characterizes each piece of the collection.
Issey Miyake FW25: Rethinking the Relationship Between Body and Object
The Issey Miyake FW25 collection centers around the tension between abstract and concrete, body and object. Garments, created using innovative materials and cutting-edge techniques, aim to challenge conventions and extend beyond simple functionality. Models wear knitwear and trousers in unconventional ways, with cuts and pleats that appear sculptural. The fluid lines and undulating silhouettes typical of modern minimalism are reinterpreted through a visual language that goes beyond the ordinary, creating a collection that is both futuristic and rooted in traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Color plays a significant role in the collection, with vibrant shades such as red, turquoise, yellow, green, and bluecreating a lively and dynamic palette that contrasts with more neutral tones like white and black. Every color combination is designed to evoke different sensations, creating a play of light and shadow that emphasizes the fluidityand movement of the garments. The patterns and geometric structures of the fabrics also add a sculptural dimension, maintaining a constant interaction between the body and the clothing.
Fluidity, Comfort, and Experimentation: The Key to Miyake’s Design
Fluidity is a central theme in the collection, interpreted through the use of techniques like pleating and fabrics that move dynamically with the body. The collection isn’t only a celebration of aesthetics but also a reflection on comfortand the interaction between the body and the garment.
The designs are intended to be soft, yet structured, achieving a perfect balance between comfort and elegance. Some looks resemble padded, cushion-like garments, which embrace the body with lightness and adaptability.
Miyake’s approach to fashion is not only about aesthetics but also functionality. Each garment is designed to adapt to various needs of daily life, with a constant focus on innovation.
The brand, known for its commitment to multifunctional designs, continues to explore how a single piece of clothing can be transformed to serve different purposes and occasions. The looks range from daily wear to formal occasions, such as galas and red carpet events, demonstrating that Issey Miyake’s fashion can be both futuristic and functional.
Miyake’s Tailoring: Where Sartorial Art Meets Innovation
Miyake’s tailoring has never been so sophisticated and experimental. Garments appear to deconstruct, challenging traditional sartorial norms while maintaining perfect proportion and functionality.
The collection features looks inspired by structure and versatility, two core principles of the brand. Some garments showcase complex patterns that interact with the body’s geometry, while others offer a more minimalist elegance.
Miyake’s sartorial experimentation is not only visual but also tactile, with fabrics designed to react to the body’s movement, offering freedom and comfort.
Accessories: The Fusion of Fashion and Design
Among the most iconic accessories in the collection are the bags, which reference Issey Miyake’s iconic pouches, but with a new twist. With cords rising into the air at neck height, these bags resemble pieces of clothing, transforming into functional and stylistically strong elements.
This interplay of shapes and the use of accessories enhances the concept of functionality and design that defines Miyake’s philosophy. Each accessory seamlessly integrates with the garment, creating continuity between clothing and accessories.
A Future of Fashion Rooted in the Past
The Issey Miyake FW25 collection at Paris Fashion Week 2025 strikes a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Art, technology, and functionality converge to create fashion that not only expresses the aesthetics of the future but also meets the practical needs of daily life.
With its unique approach to fashion and design, Issey Miyake continues to redefine what it means to dress, challenging conventions and inviting us to dream of a future where fashion is first and foremost an experience to live. The collection shows how fashion can be both futuristic and rooted in tradition, opening new avenues and possibilities for the global fashion industry.
