The bold and the beautiful: introducing Kin’s new spring collaboration
Kin’s new collaboration with artist Rie Takeda fuses traditional Japanese art with a modern aesthetic to striking effect
Since its first collection in 2013, Kin has been inspired by Japanese design, art and silhouettes, where structured, modernist shapes reign supreme and pattern and colour offer a unique perspective inside every woman’s wardrobe. For spring/summer 2020, that familiar aesthetic has a fresh new spin, thanks to the brand’s latest collaboration with Rie Takeda. The artist created the term Neo-Japonism to describe her art, which combines traditional Japanese artisanship with contemporary elements.
‘In Neo-Japonism, rich layers of technical and aesthetic understanding are interlaced,’ explains Rie of the DNA that runs through her art and subsequently, the designs in this collection. ‘It’s a way of achieving a fresh unity of traditional and contemporary art forms. The continuity of time and spiritual existence is always a key inspiration within my work, where I depict and convey a sense of Japanese aesthetics.’
‘As a calligrapher and artist, I combined traditional calligraphy and sumie (ink painting techniques) with rich colours, patterns and a poetic spirit so that each design can be expressive, while still fitting into a contemporary silhouette,’ explains Rie. The result is a distinctive collection of modern, utilitarian pieces where Rie’s unique prints have been reworked into a succinct edit of dungarees, dresses, a wrap jacket and a wrap dress.
The collection is ambient and calm, with mustard yellow, red and blue tones running throughout and strong, graphic prints – inspired by Japan’s great craftspeople and artists – taking centre stage. Whether you choose the bold kimono dress with sandals and a denim jacket or the utilitarian-style dungarees paired with a statement kimono blouse, this collection promises to seamlessly fit in with the multi-tasking style essentials that you already own.
