mintdesigns' 2017-18 Fall/Winter collection was unveiled on March 24th at its flagship store in Omotesando, Tokyo, which opened last spring. Guests could watch 18 models from outside the store, which had been stripped of all merchandise and displays. The models performed four 15-minute performances, moving in a systematic pattern and dancing. The "work" was an installation that expressed the "now," incorporating the hustle and bustle of the city and the chaos that plaids created in the backstreets during the show. The theme was "She is so British..." and featured motifs symbolizing British style, such as plaids combining houndstooth patterns of varying sizes, glen plaids overlaid with plaid lace, herringbone tweed tops, and British rose jacquard, all expressed through elaborate original textiles. These pieces were combined with typically British pieces, such as pinstripe super-sized shirt dresses, wool coats, fisherman knits, and wide-leg pants with large cuffs, resulting in 18 looks brimming with the cuteness and tomboyishness of the British woman. The pinstripe wool fabric was embroidered with the "Mint studio" logo, reminiscent of candy packaging, and the inside of a coat was piped with "HAPPY MISTAKE!" tape, a theme that has been a theme of the brand since its inception. Every detail of the design was carefully considered. The secret to the brand's popularity is hidden throughout. Following last season's New York subway theme, this season's theme was the UK. This may be a response from the brand to the rapid changes in society, from the Trump turmoil to Brexit. However, the day before the show, on March 23rd (March 22nd local time), news of a terrorist attack near London's Houses of Parliament spread. The coincidental connections between these two designers never cease to amaze me.

Text: Tatsuya Noda