What a pity. As evidenced by the list of names in small print in the credits, many people have been working hard to get this afternoon’s planned Anrealage show ready. But in a twist that could almost have been scripted (by a particularly sadistic writer), Kunihiko Morinaga’s ever-futuristic plans were undone today by a technological glitch.
By the time we got past the Standing sign, the show had been relegated to a presentation. A series of models wore outfits made from brightly patterned fabrics, alongside ‘floating’ objects dressed in the same way. These hung with fine, transparent wire from a caterpillar track in the ceiling. Morinaga explained through his translator over loud music (awkward) that he was inspired by manga cartoons from the 70s Doraemon to create outfits for both his models and for imagined objects that were kind of personal drones and real avatars in one. He said that the consideration of dressing such objects could be as relevant in the future as dressing people. There was a Reebok collaboration involving some updated Instapump sneakers and a taste of the work Morinaga has been preparing as artistic director of a line from Italian outerwear brand Herno.
Looking at that roof rig, you understood that the models probably had to be followed by their matchy-matchy “objects” as they walked through the show. But that show never took place because, it was later confirmed, something that made this illusion possible failed at the last minute. This was a shame for Morinaga and all those colleagues. The designer described what could have been, instead of showing what could be. And while it was also disappointing for the audience, it was worth remembering that Anrealage has created a series of enchantingly innovative shows in recent seasons: even the best of us punch out sometimes.
