Photos – Olivier Claisse ©
Neon colours, shocking prints and inflatable fabrics meet in bold fusion as Michiko Koshino presents her SS19 collection. An icon of the menswear industry, Michiko is known for serving up unique inspirations as the foundation of her aesthetic. This season designer takes influence from exoticism, fantasy and escape through nods to world travel, jet-setting and Hawaii as a tropical destination.
A pattern cutter by trade, Michiko’s deep understanding of silhouette can be seen in her perfectly cut bomber jackets, alongside dungarees and shirts in vibrant tropical prints. Her use of colours is clearly inspired by; the jungle, leaves, flowers and camouflage — and through these choices, Michiko is providing a taste of island life without anyone needing to travel.
A household name in her native Japan, Michiko also remains popular internationally, partly due to her instantly recognisable inflatable pieces, which remain present this season, but this time translated into bold, summer formats. While many other designers continue to celebrate the traditional forms of menswear, Michiko has offered up a new vision for SS19 — one that is characterised by neon colour, the need for escape and a unique streetwear authenticity.
Since she founded her label, Michiko Koshino has sourced inspiration, fabric and pattern cutters from Italy. In homage to the strong connection she has formed with Italian culture, Michiko is proud to present her SS19 collection at Istituto Maragoni London — an energising melting pot of creativity and one of the leading Italian fashion schools in the world. For 15 years Instituto Maragoni London has bridged the fashion world with creativity and their student’s unique viewpoints, and as a fashion progressive, Michiko is eager to celebrate this.
“Partnering with one of the original innovators of UK’s fashion industry was a natural decision for us,” said Giusi Lara, Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni London.
PHOTOGRAPHER – Olivier Claisse
STYLIST – Paolo Sperti
