Origa-me

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space Umberto Boccioni

The weekend of the 132 5 launch, I managed to make it into Tribeca Issey Miyake to try some of the sculptural pieces on myself. If there is one thing I've learned in my experience with Japanese fashion is that it has absolutely no hanger appeal. Once on, a shapeless black garment transforms into a magical shroud, a suit with a hidden agenda that maybe only its wearer may know and in more cases then not a sculptural art form that would make even Umberto Boccioni blush. Since first hearing about 132 5's scientific wonders I couldn't wait to actually see its result on my frame.

I had my mind set on the convertible trouser/skirt piece since I first laid my hungry eyes on the collection and luckily they had one left on the mannequin.

worn as a pair of trousers (There are hidden buttons where the leg seams are)


Worn as a skirt (as you can see not easy to illustrate the difference so well). Also apologies for looking like shit still trying to figure out this whole taking pictures of oneself in changing room mirrors whilst figuring out a complicated and new camera deal.


Pleat details

I do love the idea of wearing this trouser/skirt in a very monastic fashion but I had a couple of quibbles I'd like to share. Firstly as a pair of trousers they way that the button fastening works means that there is a gap right below the crotch (it is pretty hidden though) in combination with the twists of the pleats this makes each leg a different shape (which I actually sort of like). Due to the fabric colour being black it is tricky to actually see the pleating details and to the untrained eye it can look a little messy. I do like the paper-bag waist line but due in part to my poor ability to belt the pants and that it is a one-size fits all kind of deal it is difficult to figure out exactly where the waistline should be to not fall off and to be comfortable. So with all of that I couldn't leave without trying a piece on that would give me heart palpitations.

Back on the floor I found this lovely armour-like top, alas I did not have $400-something to spare but if I did I'd be walking out with it, for realz.

Look at those freaking metallic shoulders!


It really goes nicely with my Paul Smith shirt :)

The care-tag was a little scary but the lovely people in the store explained that the garments are actually pretty hardy and the pleats are unlikely to come out (unless you throw them in the wash on high heat).

Yes I am the first to say that I love clothing that for lack of a better term is deemed "futuristic". And yes, the clothing that I tried on, hell everything about 132 5, screams futuristic. However the reality is, it isn't. This is where clothing should be today (not necessarily aesthetically speaking but in terms of product-design and thought). Instead of looking for exotic inspiration: designers and clothing manufacturers should realize that looking at clothing from purely the aesthetic viewpoint shouldn't be the sole method. The realities of today's world: environmental crisis, cost-cutting, a loss of real human skill sets is a very real thing. Continuing to create disposable trends, fast fashion, etc. is costing the world and the humans as a species.

"Our goals must be to find new environmentally- friendly ways by which to continue the art of creation, to utilize our valuable human skills and to make things that will bring joy. " - Reality Lab