After her show, Rei Kawakubo sent an email to the fashion press relaying that the title of her Fall 2019 Menswear Collection was “Finding Beauty in the Dark.” And it did! To say that her Comme des Garcons Homme Plus Fall 2019 show was punk-themed is misguided, even though there were a lot of punk references in the looks—from the dark makeup, metal hardware, and overuse of black. But one can’t simply box Kawakubo into one style. Here very relevance in fashion transcends market labels and titled narratives. And despite her reputation for deconstruction, this was one of her best-tailored offerings in recent years. So what is the beauty in the dark in this sense? It may be the subtle sophistication injected onto these clothes. Every piece was so neatly constructed that they didn’t seem to fit the Comme des Garcons, but it’s that ironic twist of evoking elegance through unorthodoxy that makes them perfect for the brand. Be it the chopped coat held together by heavy chains or the streamlined looks the featured a dress for a man. these are notions of beauty that might not be seen in the light of day, but they’re certainly there within the darkness!
Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com
