Junko Shimada Fall 2004
By: Contributing Writer
Photos courtesy of Junko Shimada

PARIS, May 11, 2004/ FW/ ---- Japanese designer Junko Shimada who was elected officially as a member of the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt à Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode last May 2003 continues her magical foray into fashion with her Fall 2004 collection scheduled to hit stores soon.

Expect shaven mohair dresses in pink, cotton candy green and orange. First one is off the shoulder, while the second one has long sleeves a hood and the orange dress is hooded and sleeves.

There are also intelligent skirt ensembles and a black outfit in horse’s hair, which is nothing short of dazzling. Then there is the beautiful or dare I say “sickening” black and white coat! I look forward to seeing the jet set making this creation popular Monaco’s Hôtel de Paris.

“I think it pisses God off when people walk by the color purple and not even notice it [The character of Shug Avery to Celie in Steven Spielberg’s, The Color Purple].”

Junko obviously feels the same way as her purple coat with matching skirt, and purple skirt ensemble made us fall in love all over again with purple. Her draped dress in the same color is breathtaking.

A refreshing surprise in this collection is Shimada’s clear break with the bows that numerous other designers have apparently made into the “it” detail for Fall/Winter 2004-2005. Her collection is accentuated with gorgeous flowers positioned in just the right place. Although in leather, they are delicate and appear organic.

Ms. Shimada achieved great things with her leathers. The red leather skirt with a white off-the-shoulders and cross-your-heart blouse was the embodiment of simple elegance. It is a great contrast to the dazzling leather coat in a shocking slut-red! A daring woman of great presence too may wear it as dress.

Junko’s skirt, wrapped and gathered in the front with great care and with a top in chocolate, is not joke!

The tailleurs are my favourite as Ms. Shimada achieved great things with them. They are imbued with a quality reminiscent of a young Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis during her White House years. They quite frankly leave me speechless!

Her sexy little black dress can be described as sensational. The beautiful black skirt with fireworks prints and white top with butterfly sleeves is hot!!!

Overall, two amazing things can be said about this collection. Firstly, it comfortably covers a wide range of ages. Secondly, a woman can literally wear anything from it and feel good and confident about her choice with absolutely no second-guessing.

This collection is thoroughly complete, elegant, sexy and effortless. It is all-around fun, and is an intelligent choice for both retailers and shoppers.

For more details on this most splendid collection, please visit www.junkoshimada.com and click on Fall/Winter 2004.

Junko Shimada

Junko Shimada

Junko Shimada

Junko Shimada