Issey Miyake's IM MEN SS26 Unveils a Poetic Dialogue Between Fabric and Form, Inspired by Shoji Kamoda
Revealing an ASICS collaboration on the runway.
Summary
- IM MEN’s SS26 “DANCING TEXTURE” collection, unveiled at Fondation Cartier, is deeply inspired by the unique, multifaceted textures and formative beauty of pioneering ceramic artist Shoji Kamoda
- The collection features series like UROKOMON (using “bonding opal process” for scale patterns), Gintō (silver foil on folded garments recreating metallic luster), KAIYU (pigment printing for tonal contrasts), and ENGRAVE (jacquard-woven, heat-sensitive fabrics for 3D patterns)
- The collection also announces “ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT,” a joint footwear project with ASICS SportStyle, debuting “HYPER TAPING” which reinterprets ASICS’ stripes
IM MEN, the menswear line under the Issey Miyake umbrella unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, aptly titled “Dancing Texture” at the minimalist elegance of the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain. This season’s offering is a profound exploration of textile possibilities, born from an extraordinary encounter between the IM MEN design team and the unique formative beauty of pioneering Japanese ceramic artist, Shoji Kamoda.
The collection is a sartorial translation of Kamoda’s philosophy, who, despite a career spanning only two decades, left an indelible mark on contemporary Japanese ceramics with his bold, uninhibited works. IM MEN’s design team embarked on a journey to wear Kamoda’s creations as garments, amplifying the sensations evoked through quiet conversations with his practice. Guided by the fundamental philosophy of a piece of cloth, the collection finds harmony with the richly layered, multifaceted textures of Kamoda’s ceramics, resulting in textiles imbued with unparalleled depth and dimension, crafted by the subtle hand of innovation.
The collection meticulously translates specific ceramic works into textile masterpieces. For the UROKOMON Series, which is inspired by Kamoda’s animal-like scale patterns, this series utilizes a complex “bonding opal process,” this innovative technique involves layering and precise printing, where untreated areas of a top cotton layer peel away after washing, revealing a printed base. The result is a dynamic motif of merging curves and straight lines that echo Kamoda’s ceramic plates. The Gintō (Silver Pottery) Series recreates the weighty, metallic luster of Kamoda’s pure silver pigment glazed bowls. The Kaiyu Series is inspired by Kamoda’s plant ash-glazed ceramics with their striking contrast between pale celadon and exposed earthy clay, while the Engrave Series draws from Kamoda’s “Waved Patterns,” where wave-like carvings are integrated into ceramic forms.
A significant announcement accompanying the collection is the launch of “ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT,” a joint footwear development project between MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO (MDS) and ASICS SportStyle. Rooted in Miyake’s concept of creating clothing from a “piece of cloth,” this collaboration aims to create entirely new footwear through the resonance of creativity and technology. The first collab results in the “HYPER TAPING,” which reinterprets ASICS’s iconic side stripes. Inspired by athletic taping, MDS has reconstructed the stripes to wrap the foot, enhancing structural strength and fit, showcasing a powerful fusion of both brands’ expertise.
IM MEN’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection is a testament to the transformative power of art and material innovation, inviting a deeper appreciation for the textures that dance between inspiration and creation.
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