ClothingGuest UserApril 08, 2022japanese, subculture, original, culture, japan, fashion, fashion design, innovation, clothing, salomon, cdg, Comme des Garçons, comme universe, futuristic, streetwear, dystopian

Post-Japanism in Garments - almostblack

Our favorite pieces of art are always associated with a person. Whether it's a film, a painting, or an article of clothing, we tend to refer to the creator.

Although often a deeply personal connection between art and patron, we attribute the profound moment to the creator rather than the art itself.

post-japanism-in-garments-almostblack-fashion-creating-connection-art-clothing-culture-subculture

But at what cost? An idea preached by a French literary critic in the 60s deemed the author nothing more than a scripter, freeing us from shackles that limit our imagination. Art should transcend time and creator, leaving it up to us to see the beauty on our terms.

A thesis that opens the possibility of art, not only seen on a canvas but anywhere and everywhere. Indeed fashion is a form of art, sometimes literally depending on who you ask.

Japan is home to rich art and culture. Having a period of isolation that spanned over 200 years that started in the 1600s, much of its cultural remnants remain, leaving way for unique styles and philosophies found nowhere else. The designers at streetwear label almostblack feel the same way. Founded by Shunta Nakajima and Masaki Kawase, the duo came together in 2015, with a singular focus on creating garments under the "post-Japanism" concept.

Drawing inspiration from their personal experiences and taking reference from Japanese art, almostblack is a project that aims to showcase the wonderfully diverse beauty Japan has to offer. Having graduated from ESMOD Paris [the oldest fashion school still in business], Nakajima worked as a design assistant for Raf Simons's atelier in Antwerp, Belgium. Surrounded by like-minded individuals from around the world, he was determined to celebrate Japan's artistic diversity after realizing that so few labels opted to do so in a meaningful way.

Although the duo credits Raf Simons as one of their major influences, for almostblack, inspiration is everywhere. Mixing Japanese elements found in top-quality craftsmanship and the signature use of "Kachi-iro [deep navy]" with contemporary sensibilities found in collaboration and tech-wear-inspired silhouettes alluded by the D-VEC team up, the post-Japanism vision is exciting, to say the least.