YUKI HASHIMOTO's Spring/Summer 2021 collection was unveiled at Omotesando Hills Space O on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020. The theme was "BLACK INTELLIGENCE".
The inspiration for this season was the work of Olafur Eliasson, a Danish-Icelandic artist who aims to achieve a sustainable world through art. His art is famous for its large-scale installations that bring a surreal intellectual experience to the viewer while incorporating various elements of nature.
In the collection, the duality of such works are reinterpreted through the structure and design of the clothes. The venue was entirely wrapped in aluminum foil which gave the show a space-age feel. Having David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World” accompanying the soundtrack, helped further on the proceedings. Models appeared one after another on the runway, which looked liked the interior of a spaceship or space station, more akin to “Star Wars” or “Alien.”
Hashimoto's eponymous brand held its first live runway show and sought to connect the limitless potential inside a “universe” within the real world. His goal was to make a wardrobe drawing a picture of “workwear garments in space". Models wore handkerchiefs folded over their necks while tops and bottoms utilized similar shading to resemble a modern uniform. In addition, unique zippers, sliders and velcro added dynamic components to the collection pieces.
The cuttings and fittings were of course a staple of streetwear vibes. These included single tone overcoats, sleeveless shirts, vests and shorts with various large pockets. Again, echoing the tech and utilities trends of recent years. Side-striped pants and firemen-stye inspirations were also in play.
The overcoats and shirts with removable hoods harken back to Olafur Eliasson’s work focusing on duality and an auxiliary methodology that objects can serve two purposes at the same time. Transformable, in a way.
For many, the highlight of the show was a brand new collaboration with DHL. The international express service provider is an official sponsor of numerous Fashion Weeks around the world and has been supporting the Tokyo Event for more than a decade. The unmistakable logo and company colors adorned the collection at various points.
Yuki Hashimoto, a winner of the 2020 Tokyo Fashion Award, graduated from the Kyoto University of Art and Design in 2010. He soon made his way into the fashion department of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts before gaining experience as a design assistant with such luminary brands as Raf Simons, Maison Margiela and Kris Van Assche. He launched his namesake brand in 2018.