ANREALAGE presented their 17SS collection at the Palais de Tokyo on September 27th, the first day of the Paris Collection season. Going beyond the boundaries of a fashion show, ANREALAGE's shows surprise and inspire with their innovative ideas and unique presentations, continuing to evolve with each season. This year's Paris Collection, designer Kunihiko Morinaga's fifth, featured a theme of "SILENCE," the polar opposite of last season's "NOISE." The invitation included a request to download the dedicated app "ANREALAGE_AR3" developed by AR Sankyodai (available for the general public for free on iPhone/iOS 8 from October 3rd). The true meaning of Morinaga's words, "Search for a voice in silence. Listen to the voiceless clothes," is hidden within this app. The show began with background music composed by Ichiro Yamaguchi of the comedy duo Sakanaction. The heart-pounding sound, like the sounds of nature transformed into music, occasionally fell silent, leaving only the sound of shutters to fill the venue. The monochrome collection, composed entirely of black and white, featured voluminous cocoon-shaped capes, pants and jackets with bold slits, and long, flowing dresses and skirts with beautiful draping. Sneakers, created in collaboration with ASICS, were a key item that elevated the collection's overall fashionable look.
Toward the end of the show, a model wearing a forest and ocean-print dress with thick black blocks covering her shoulders stopped in front of an iPad installed in the venue. When the dedicated app was held over the dress, sound effects such as the sound of a forest or ocean rippling began to play, while hidden prints were revealed. This immersive experience combined both visual and auditory elements to delight the audience.
This unique worldview, which seemed to blur the boundaries between IT and the real world, demonstrated how ever-advancing IT technology is expanding human senses. The voice of the clothes that Morinaga heard for the first time was somehow gentle and somewhat sad, but it also had a strength that certainly encouraged him to move forward.
