Fashion & Art

  1. Julius Fall/Winter 2012 – Paris Fashion Week

    | Fashion Show
    February 22, 2012

    Julius’ Smoky Approach to Fall

    Written by Bolanile Shennu
    Photographs by Julie Badin
    ASTONISH Paris

    One half expected to be entering the realm of fire and brimstone for the amount of smoke that filled the Julius Fall/ Winter 2012/13 catwalk pre-fashion show. The guest were greeted by a silvery film – an effect brought on by one too many smoke machines – which hit the black runway like smog. Then heart-beat-simulated electronic music assailed our eardrums, as we anxiously awaited the latest collection from the Japanese designer, Tatsuro Horikawa.

    Julius’ vision for the upcoming autumn seemed to be futuristic and dark – which is not a far departure from the designer’s often gothic approach to menswear. Slender pale models almost skulked down the runway wearing long slinky sweaters, tailored knee-grazing blazers and baggy tapered pants in all varieties of tar-inspired materials and thick Astro Boy-esque boots. The style was almost like Aliens (yes, the movie) meets goth, but in a more I-am-too-sexy-for-my-shirt sort of way. This severe look was sold by the neophite models, all who seemed to have cheekbones chiseled from ice and hair slicked back with grease.

    However, it wasn’t all a vision of svelte black figures. Julius did manage to sprinkle the collection with some very puffy jackets made from lighter colored woolen materials. And for those not into the whole close fitting coat infatuation, there was a bevy of A-line trenches in heather grey and white that could stealthily camouflage a more portly frame. These vest and jackets almost add a glimpse of hope to the otherwise morbid color palette – almost like a silver lining.

  2. Juun J. Fall/Winter 2012 – Paris Fashion Week

    | Fashion Show
    February 22, 2012

    JUUN J. Goes For a Bigger Bang in Fall
    Written by Bolanile Shennu
    Photographs by Julie Badin
    ASTONISH Paris

    Tall hats and boxy coats were some of the key components of Juun J.’s Fall 2012/13 collection. Models looked like a page out of a Japanese cartoon as they strutted down the makeshift catwalk constructed in Paris’s ultra bo beau (French for hipster) Espace Blancs Manteaux. The Seoul based Juun J. is no stranger to tailoring – his sharp lines and well constructed clothing were par for the course. This latest collection proved to be another smart and classy notch in the designer’s belt, geared for the comfort prone sophisticate on the go.

    The difference between Juun J.’s recent collection and its predecessors was the larger, more voluminous clothing. Straying away from the chiseled cigarette pants and slim cut waist coats, the designer channeled a 1940’s look for the fall — think more Cab Calloway zoot suit than the Golden Age of Hollywood. Using color to tone down the collection, the suits were fashioned out of heather grays and camel colors – hues that made the collection marketable and versatile.

    When it came to livening up the collection, Juun J. decided to punch the clothing with white, as a couple of chunky knits and neoprene bombers broke up the parade of somber colors. And, as an added twist, the designer finished the presentation with a parade of snow suits (yes, puffy jackets and pants) – apparently the house is predicting a slew of blizzards and snow storms for the winter to come.