Since its launch in 2003 by designer Arashi Yanagawa, JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN has continued to shine as one of Japan's leading fashion brands. Starting out with men's fashion, the brand now offers women's fashion as well. Showing its collections overseas, the brand has captivated fashionistas around the world, and its Fall/Winter 2020 collection is finally here. To coincide with the brand's promotion at Men's Creators on the second floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building, which runs from September 2nd to 15th, we introduced the collection and spoke to Yanagawa about the background to the collection and his thoughts on fashion "today."

2020 Fall/Winter Collection

This season's collection is inspired by the works of German film director Wim Wenders and the performances of German contemporary dance choreographer and dancer Pina Bausch. The worldview of Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire" is expressed through traditional British herringbone wool and supple Italian wool, with pearl buttons decorating the pleats to accentuate the waist and military details such as gathered stitching at the waist. Floral and geometric prints are hand-painted, and wide trousers with box pleats on the sides create an extremely flared silhouette, and styling with a button-detailed Chester coat and oversized knitwear expresses the fluidity of Pina Bausch's performance.


Incorporating bondage straps from the industrial music and dark subculture that have always been at the heart of John Lawrence Sullivan, the leather shoes are embossed with crocodile, lizard and ostrich patterns and finished with pearls.

 The pearl accessories are a collaboration with YOSHiKO CREATiON, an accessory brand created by Yoshitaka Kajitani, and the sunglasses are a collaboration with BLYSZAK, an eyewear brand from London.


Additionally, the jacquard scarf, which is woven into the worldview of Wim Wenders and Pina Bausch with the words "Last Waltz," "Dance with Me," and "Floating Emotions," is the result of a collaboration with MONTMARTRE NEY YORK, a scarf brand from New York.

We asked Mr. Yanagawa about this collection

―――How did you first encounter Wim Wenders's work and Pina Bausch's performances?

Yanagawa"About 15 years ago, a friend of mine bought me Pina's Palermo, Palermo and Full Moon as a birthday present. She took me to see Moon. At the time, I was working on the Tokyo Collection, and I felt like I had seen what comprehensive direction should be and the expressions I should aim for in the future, and I unconsciously shed tears. Since then, I have seen her works in various places, including New York and London. I think I first learned about Wim Wenders when I was in junior high or high school, after seeing PARIS TEXAS, recommended by an acquaintance. I love PARIS TEXAS and Pina Bausch, and even now I watch them over and over again on DVD."

---Inspired by Wim Wenders' work and Pina Bausch's performances, and the commitment to actually incorporating them into fashion

Yanagawa "I reflected the mood I felt from the film and performance in the colors and textures of the materials, the volume of the silhouettes, and so on."


---What you think about fashion "now", and what you want Isetan Men's customers to feel through this promotion

Yanagawa"As always, I strive to create provocative products that move and inspire people. I would be happy if people could feel something from our clothes like I did the first time I saw Pina Bausch."



Click here for a list of John Lawrence Sullivan products on the Isetan Mitsukoshi online store