PARIS, Oct 4, 2005/ FW/ --- It’s poetry in motion, each garment a beautiful Japanese haiku as Naoki Takizawa took inspiration from the bamboo, an ancient symbol of the Far East making it the thread that bound his Spring / Summer 2006 collection.

The stage, a bamboo grove, dramatic yet serene; the background music was from bamboo instruments being played, and the opening garment, a beige tank dress that reaches down to the ankle were accentuated on the bodice and the hips with long and thin strips of the bamboo skin.

‘Pliant as a bamboo,’ goes an old Asian saying, referring to the plant that belongs to the grass family characteristic of being able to adapt with the movement of the wind.

And ‘adapt’ was what Naoki Takizawa did, as he used the skin of the bamboo as the main embellishment for dresses, separates, suit jackets and trousers.

The bamboo became a headdress and an obi-wide belt. It was woven and braided to become a false pocket or a faux necklace gracing the collar. Sometimes, they were encrusted with Swarovski crystals for understated glitter.

Still, they are just accents and not the star, because Naoki Takizawa made sure that the silhouettes took center stage.

Lightly fitted tank dresses and minis, suit jackets with wide collars and wide plackets, slim trousers and straight skirts – all of them drape flawlessly on the model’s body. At this point, one remembers that the collection is entitled ‘Singing Bamboo’ that although the clothes do not make a sound, they are a symphony for your eyes to feast on.

Breaking new grounds, Naoki Takizawa cut the suit jacket short, baring the navel and made it to a cape like two isosceles triangles meeting right below the bustline. They were paired with wrap skirts or ‘wrap’ walking shorts or ‘wrap’ Capri-length pants.

Amidst all these beauty, Takizawa changed the pace, this time going for tiny pleats and ruching to create volume with silk and voile. Original stylized and graphical prints of the bamboo grove were shown.

The Japanese designer kept his theme and collection tight, never faltering a single step as the show ended in a dramatic the finale – a tube top and skirt made of bamboo!

With the elegance of a Charles Worth gown, Naoki Takizawa created a museum piece for his final look, truly a work of art and mastery of construction!

Issey Miyake by Naoki Takizawa

Issey Miyake by Naoki Takizawa

Issey Miyake by Naoki Takizawa

Issey Miyake by Naoki Takizawa

Issey Miyake by Naoki Takizawa