Best Collection's of the Last Few Years - Part 1, Women's........ News: Junya Watanabe - Aquascutum Collaboration

I thought long and hard about choosing a proper adjective for the title of this post. What is a good collection - is it beautiful, influential, unique, artistic, innovative? I guess the word "Best" has a bit of everything, and that's why I chose it. Anyway, below are my favorite women's collections since 2000. I will follow up with the mens next week.

JUNYA WATANABE FALL/WINTER 2000

This breathtaking collection was so innovative in terms of fabric.
Each piece is made of the multiple
layer light fabric,
and could be folded completely flat.












































ALEXANDER MCQUEEN FALL/WINTER 2002


The theme of this collection
was shipwrecks and pirates.
Some of the most beautiful
creations I have ever seen.
One thing I love about McQueen
is how his themes really
translate onto the runway.
Many designers can not do
that and have to resort to
verbal descriptions.










































































COMME DES GARCONS FALL/WINTER 2002

Another incredible collection
from one of the strongest seasons overall.
All silhouettes were twisted and wrapped
- no straight lines.
And it worked beautifully!

































































HUSSEIN CHALAYAN FALL/WINTER 2002

I can't seem to get away from that
womenswear season, but I couldn't pass this collection. Chalayan is a genius, but his genius is often hard to see on the runway, because of the incredible amount of detail that is not apparent at first view. I picked this collection because that's where his skills are most visible.





























































JUNYA WATANABE SPRING/SUMMER 2002

I think that right now Junya
is the most talented womenswear
designer on earth. His
creations are not just gorgeous,
structural, and complex,
but his fabrics are interesting
and used in uncommon ways.
Really, did you think one can
do such things with denim?!









































































ANN DEMEULEMEESTER FALL/WINTER 2004

And last but not least.
This was just an incredibly
strong collection,
full of layering, amazing coats,
jackets, and boots.
The equestrian theme is apparent
and beautifully executed.
Romantic, yet powerful.






























































---------------------------------------

So, Comme des Garcons is on a real collaborations kick.
Today I read a blurb in the current issue of Surface magazine that Junya Watanabe collaborated with Aquscutum to recreate their two classic English trench coats. He did one version in hand-shaved (whatever that means) black denim, and one in bright neon colored nylon. There was a picture of the nylon version - can't say I was impressed. Maybe because it was extremely orange...