A model wearing a bonded material dress appeared on stage amid a male bodybuilder posing on a stage surrounded by construction cones. After presenting in an installation format for the past few seasons, THEATERE PRODUCTS held their first runway show in three years on October 23rd at Tokyo's Aoyama Spiral Hall. The Spring/Summer 2016 collection, themed "CONTAINER," expressed the image of a strong woman, a healthy, tough woman who is just as powerful and accomplished as her male counterparts. DIY details inspired by hardware stores appeared on various pieces. From the shock-absorbing bonded material seen in the opening, to knitwear embroidered with packing tape, a dress embroidered with tool motifs, knitwear evoking fruit covers, a jacket with bolt-shaped buttons, a boomerang-shaped clutch bag, a tote bag made from tent and sunshade material, and the brand logo in bandages on the model's leg, this playful collection evoked a true "theatrical" experience.

"I used muscles, which symbolize strength, to represent the bodybuilder, in contrast to the inner strength of women. I wanted to use the motif of 'The America' of the '80s,' a time of abundance, and sought inspiration from Seattle's hardware stores. Rather than calling it 'genderless,' I incorporated curves such as the details of tools and the functionality of workwear into the design of the clothes, as material to talk to men about clothing," says designer Morita Miwa.

15 years have passed since their debut. While they have spun over 30 stories to date, this season marks the beginning of a new phase for the brand, which has never used America as its theme.

Text: Noda Tatsuya