ClothingJoe GoodwinJanuary 23, 2023facetasm, japanese fashion, tokyo, paris, fashion week, avant garde, layering, streetwear, culture

FACETASM reconstructs reality - merging fashion and technology

ClothingJoe GoodwinJanuary 23, 2023facetasm, japanese fashion, tokyo, paris, fashion week, avant garde, layering, streetwear, culture

Long has the streets of Tokyo and its fashion-conscious residents been a conductor of style. From Urahara to avant-garde, Tokyo is a breeding ground for movements and inspiration and it's as authentic as it gets; people carve their own identities here, and in doing so develop styles and subcultures that shape the rest of the world. Japanese brands have forever been looked at with admiration due to their ability to consistently be authentic, and one brand in particular takes this exact Tokyo DNA and for years now have not only evolved it but seamlessly maintained it in its original format. Enter FACETASM [@facetasmtokyo].

So, what exactly is Tokyo style? This question will forever be unanswered because every day new and exciting presets are created by pioneers of the street. It has many faces and many layers, and the further you open up these layers more are to be found underneath. This exact premise is the crux of FACETASM, with the name deriving from the word ‘facet’ [one side of something many-sided, especially of a cut gem.] With this being said, it’s only natural that FACETASM is a prime example of the complexity of Japanese fashion.

Founded in 2007 by Hiromichi Ochiai, FACETASM quickly developed its own dimension and stood out for its unique garments. Thriving off textiles and fabrics, FACETASM takes a garment and applies meticulous thought and detail to them creating something new entirely: a jacket with a shirt attached, a top with a scarf wrapped around, trousers decorated with a skirt. The Japanese brand is a multisided mirror, fragmenting and morphing design.

With a focus on layering, the brand exudes Tokyo style. Known for their balance of radical yet sophisticated layering and accessorizing, FACETASM subconsciously adopts this but with an avant-garde flare that is unmatched. Always with a purpose, and never for the sake of it, the garments are constructed from the ground up producing puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly when brought together.

Although, this was never the intention of Ochiai. The expert designer states “I’m not conscious of this at all when I design, I’m really just doing what has always come natural for me. I mean, if you have a bandana with you, you’ll want to put it on. If you have a Hermes scarf, you want to tie it on to your jacket, right? Standing between streetwear and luxury is just second nature (to Tokyoites)”

And Ochiai and his vision has never wavered, forever walking down many paths that intertwine and cross over, but all lead to the same end goal. As he explores these different angles and faces of the brand, FACETASM evolves and grows to now being one of the most coveted and well-respected brands coming out of Japan. This has only been further reinforced in his FW23 collection, which feels like a new height for the brand which is already soaring high in the sky.

The sabukaru managed to get an exclusive view of this upcoming season.

The traditional and authentic nature of FACETASM is all present but enhanced and washed over with ambience and emotion. A colour pallet reminding us of a sunset decorates the garments alluding to a new beginning yet still enriched by its roots, and with an accent of gold throughout, the garments are embellished into a state of luxury that is unmatched. The colour pallet gives an unrivalled sense of calm to the garments, but the versatility and dynamic nature of the collection pull us back towards excitement. These two different faces, although seemingly conflicting, instead allow the collection to sit on a knife edge; sophisticated and luxurious but achievable and comfortable.

Talking to the designer, we get to understand that a big inspiration for this collection comes from Steve Wonders's “Stay Gold” and the movie. Listening to the soundtrack we can depict clearly why; the song brings on the feeling of comfort but with an underlying sense of somberness. Much like a sunrise, the day passes and yesterday fades away– but as this sunrise comes up, you cannot be sad that yesterday has passed but instead look back fondly on it and look towards the new day. This rationale is distilled into DNA of the collection, where we see a nod back to FACETASM’s heritage but also reinforcing that the brand is forever moving forward and offering new layers to its complexity.

The runway show was also a showcase of reality reconstructed. With visual designers backstage doing live edits to the video, FACETASM showcases technology fusing with fashion and proves itself again as a pioneer of Japanese fashion.

To further invigorate the collection we also see laser cuts into the garments creating a pattern of floral lace/bandana print. Humming of FACETASM’s dedication towards textile perfection and curation, the material sings of sophistication but with a rebellious and playful curiosity rooted in it. Adding in energy with a simultaneous luxuriousness that truly embodies the FACETASM DNA, the collection is a double-edged sword made of beautifully crafted materials that hold elaborate form.

Key pieces of the collection include a deconstructed military-like jacket that incorporate a ready-to-wear feel crossed with elaborate energy; quilted liner material is seen blended with thick cotton and tactical pockets to create an avant-garde take on function. As well as this, a personal favourite of ours include the veil-like head piece which creates a celestial silhouette. Rounding things off, key collaborations also accompany the collection, including pieces from 66° North, Alcantara, G-SHOCK, and New Era.

This collection marks a narrative with much more than just textiles and style. It looks to evoke emotion and feelings in our every day. Not just clothing to wear and stand out, but ones to make us feel good, comforted, and bold all the same. Whether you are an everyday wardrobe surfer or an ultimately curated style aficionado, this collection leaves open a place in the FACETASM universe for you. More than just a brand, Ochiai is cleverly creating stories with multiple different beginnings and ends.

FW23 once again proves FACETASM to be a pioneer in its craft, marking another pivotal movement of progression. To be a brand now 15 years old and still continuing to unveil more and more complexity and evolution is no mean feat, but FACETASM accepts this task and embraces it with open arms. Finding a beautiful balance between challenging convention and grounding themselves in their roots is what helps set this Japanese brand apart, making them an undeniable contender in the race of fashion.