A cascading symphony of vintage chic and muted tones, Maison MIHARA YASUHIRO‘s Spring/Summer 2024 collection aptly named “Lo-Fi Vision,” reverberates with the resonant sound of yesteryears. Drawing on the threads of memory and music, Yasuhiro weaves a sartorial story of childhood dreams and the transformative power of fashion. The collection paints a vivid image of a past tinged with a powerful, albeit soft-hued, nostalgia.
The January chill had brought forth an unusual confession from Mihara Yasuhiro – his weariness with the noise. However, as the blossoms of spring unfolded, Yasuhiro found inspiration in the very element he seemed to eschew. The jingles and rhythms that once filled his world became the primary inspiration for his spring collection, a natural evolution from his fall line’s emphasis on elevated thrift-store aesthetics.
Yasuhiro’s “Lo-Fi Vision” gazes at the past through sepia-tinted glasses, revisiting his formative years, particularly the time when he made the conscious decision to plunge into the world of fashion. A key event that resonates through this journey back in time was the fall of the Berlin Wall when Yasuhiro was just 10. His musical influences during this transformative era – a medley of punk, techno, acid house, and rockabilly – reverberated in his work, as he disclosed through a translator.
Yasuhiro’s nostalgia materializes in striking silhouettes. His garments from that time, originally his elder brother’s oversized hand-me-downs, come to life in his collection. Hoodies, denims, and bomber jackets sweep the floor in an exaggerated play on proportions.
Yet, as often happens with memory, Yasuhiro’s are somewhat clouded and faded. This nebulous nature is captured in the washed-out, moody hues of the collection. A palette so delicate and intricate, even the fluid silk had to be painstakingly hand-faded.
The influence of music finds another tribute in Yasuhiro’s work – the apparel donned by musicians of the past. Styles steeped in Americana take on new shapes as he reconstructs them from his memories. A puffer cape transformed from an oversized varsity jacket, a hole-ridden black cardigan taking on the form of a cloak, and satin jackets embellished with traditional Japanese motifs, a nod to performers’ preferences, are the jewels of this oversized ensemble.
This theatrical nature of the collection comes full circle when a model adorns one such robe, breaking the fourth wall as they exit the catwalk to join the live band, Die Deutsche Post Punk.
Yasuhiro’s homage to nostalgia extends to his accessory line, showcasing a playful take on items like bags and jewelry resembling ghetto-blasters, cassette tapes, and toy dinosaurs. As with the rest of his collection, these unique statement pieces are created with immense care, artistic finesse, and commendable inventiveness, evoking a tender sense of nostalgia for a time that continues to resonate through the annals of history.
© Photos : Maison MIHARA YASUHIRO
Click on this link to read this article in French version
