Yoichi Nagasawa: Raw Chic
By Mari Davis
(Photos by Javier Mateo)
PARIS, Mar 12, 2003/ FW/ --- Yoichi Nagasawa was in the unenviable position of being
sandwiched between two venerable fashion houses - Paco Rabanne and Givenchy, but the
emerging Japanese designer held his own.
So while most members of the international press was taking the shuttle bus to Place de Varsovie
where Givenchy was holding its show, they missed how Nagasawa redefined raw and made it chic.
The first piece of the collection was an 'unfinished' black and white suit where oversized
stitching was used and hems were left unsewn. From there, the designer started to build his
collection and end with a 'woven' off the shoulder black dress worthy of an MTV apperance.
In between were various winter coats and jackets in solid colors and herringbone.
The most memorable pieces though were the knitwear which were essentially 'knitted' raw,
like a cobweb built upon each other.
Pants were generously cut and low-waisted with knitted belts usually the same color and look
as the sweater the model was wearing.
Jewelry were oversized buttons strung together with invisible thread.
For evening, Nagasawa used silver rings built like a vest worn on top of the gown.
Some of the looks did not work though.
The oversized polka dot gown overshadowed the model wearing it, she looked like a blob of
walking white circles.
But except for that indiscretion, it was a very good collection.
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