THE WORLD OF SOMARTA

2007-2012

Fashion Time

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These flowers were in fact clematises, apparently the inspiration for this collection of seamless machine-made knitwear. Making full use of advanced Japanese textile technology, Somarta presented designs of which some were made with the aid of specially created knitwear computer programs and devices. Squinting past the blinding crystals, it was possible to pick out exquisite '20s-inspired black- and nude-lace dresses, and some interestingly tucked and pleated wide trousers. While it could be said that Hirokawa channeled Alexander McQueen with a gold breastplate top and giant chandelier headpiece, these technologically advanced second-skin designs were pieces of truly admirable craftsmanship.

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Additional details in the 2008 collection included

metallic plating over the bodysuits, full-length

embroidered dresses, and a pleating in both slacks

The Second Skin was hand painted with blue spray and metalic silver foil, using an artisanal t e c h n i q u e v e r y s i m i l a r t o s o m e m a k e - u p techn iques . The knitting pattern was inspired in tr ibal tattoos, such as Henna.

2007 20082009 2010 2011 2012

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2007 2008 2009 20102011 2012

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SOMARTA collection has a wonderful concept revolving around Metamorphosis and Wunderkammer. Wunderkammer, meaning wonder room or cabinet des curiosities, designed to showcase an idea. The aim of which was the collection and preservation of the whole concept. The important consideration in that it makes apparent is that the collections resulting from this process were founded on an organization principle and dependent on philosophical considerations.

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The theme of 2010-11 Fall / Winte was “Chamber of Curiosity,” but this was based on the “MICROCOSMOGRAPHIA Mark Dion’s ‘Chamber of Curiosities’” exhibit, which was an exhibit conducted jointly by the American modern artist Mark Dion and Tokyo University.

Afterwards, I read the book “MICROCOSMOGRAPHIA Mark Dion’s ‘Chamber of Curiosities’” by Yoshiaki Nishino of Tokyo University, who supervised the exhibit, and decided to borrow the term MICROCOSMOGRAPHIA and use it as my theme. Both extract a certain part, like a “portion of a room” and feature this portion. Last season’s collection portrayed the pure

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