Johan Ku 2012 S/S Collection – The Two Faces

The 2012 S/S edition of Japan Fashion Week (aka Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) in Tokyo is under way! Several times each day, TokyoFashion.com’s contributors are reporting back from runway shows and events all over town. Be sure to check out all of our Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo coverage.

On Wednesday, October 19th, UK-based label Johan Ku showcased their 2012 Spring/Summer collection on the runway at Harajuku Quest Hall.

Johan Ku began his career as a graphic designer at the age of 17. In 2005, he started his own design studio. By 2007, he had participated Hong Kong Fashion Week twice. His “Emotional Sculpture” collection won Gen Art’s Design Vision of Avant Garde Award in New York when he studied at Central Saint Martins MA Fashion course, and – along with his “Re-Sculpture” collection – was used in a British academic textbook as an example alongside Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Rodarte.

The Johan Ku 2012 S/S collection shown at Japan Fashion Week was called “The Two Faces”. The title alludes to the fact that the garments in the collection look one way in the light, but change their appearance in the dark when some of the materials glow green and blue. We were unable to get any good pictures of the glowing, but a blogger uploaded a short glowing video here. We’re not quite ready to call it a trend yet, but this is the second show at Japan Fashion Week with glowing clothing (see Etw.Vonneguet).

Even if you completely ignore the glow-in-the-dark aspect, “The Two Faces” was the most beautiful collection we’ve seen so far at the 2012 S/S Japan Fashion Week. Johan Ku is famous for walking (and crossing) the line between fashion and art, and the knitwear pieces in this collection expose that sense of creativity and daring. This collection is better seen than explained, so please check the pictures for yourself.

Click any of the Johan Ku images below to view high resolution versions of each look.

Johan Ku 2012 Spring/Summer

Click any of the Johan Ku collection pictures to enlarge them!

External Link: Johan Ku Official Website

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About the photographer:
Michael Steinebach has been fortunate enough to travel and see the world. Exposed to the limitless possibilities of photography 20 years ago, he grew up looking at things differently. He currently shoots in the areas of people, fashion, and news photography in Japan. He maintains a Facebook page with samples of his work. He can be emailed about contract work or with questions or comments on his photography.