From The Straits Times    |

TOKYO – Known for their penchant for creating restrained, minimal, practically unisex pieces for men’s and women’s wear, designers of Dressedundressed, Takeshi Kitazawa and Emiko Sato, stayed true to the theme despite international fashion pundits proclaiming the “death of minimalism”.

Opening with a severe stone-coloured duster coat over midi-length skirt and, the now ubiquitous flat lace-up brogues, the collection for Autumn Winter 2014-15 may have been entitled “Japanese Garden” but there were no flower prints or emerald green. Seemingly inspired more by the traditional concept of the “stone” garden, the karesansui (literally, “dry landscape”) style could be seen in the very simple lines, muted colours and the “lines” of a printed sweater.

dressedundressed aw14 at tokyo fashion week DECOR MAINMinimal, menswear style at Dressedundressed AW14. Image: Niki Bruce using Samsung NX30

More echoes of traditional Japan came via the vaguely “Hakama” shape of traditional men’s trousers in the wide-legged culottes worn by both the male and female models and traditional winter padding or quilting also featured in modern sweatshirt-style tops for guys and girls.

Colour arrived towards the end of the collection; a rusty, speckled red that struck a strong note after the parade of neutral shades. Particularly eye-catching was a sleeveless red jumpsuit with a neat, leather strap highlight on the back; the other pieces were almost entirely modern in reference ‒ a bomber jacket (very “on trend”), a shell top and a men’s suit.

dressedundressed aw14 at tokyo fashion week DECOR 1dressedundressed aw14 at tokyo fashion week DECOR 2
Restrained colour palette at Dressedundressed AW14. Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo

Dressedundressed’s history of sharp suiting was visible throughout the collection; the brand really does know how to cut a nice coat. The voluminous bell-like sleeves on classic double-breasted coats for men and women were particularly nice.

Overall, the Autumn Winter 2014-15 collection from Dressedundressed was restrained, minimal and quiet; from a garden for contemplation the designers created clothes for the modern aesthete.

For more information about Dressedundressed, go to dressedundressed.com. For more information about Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo, go to tokyo-mbfashionweek.com. You can follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MercedesBenzFashionWeekTOKYO and on Twitter at @MBFWT_official.