Designer Hanako Maeda used to bury her head in Japanese teen magazines. Growing up in Tokyo during the ’90s, publications aimed at young fashion wannabes—two of the most popular being CUTiE and Olive—provided her with a special lens into the world of creative self-styling. Maeda learned how to layer clothes and play around with prints and textures while flipping through those glossy pages filled with quirky street style photographs. She was drawn to the Harajuku girls who mixed and matched various genres, whether skater, preppy, or vintage. These images have always informed her aesthetic as a designer, as well as her personal style, but they also provided a specific source of inspiration for her latest Resort collection. Maeda is adept at balancing literal interpretations with imaginative ones, and this season she did well in that department again.
Nods to kawaii (which translates to “cute” in Japanese) fashion culture were woven into the collection by way of cotton-poplin bustier tops and dresses that can be worn on their own or over knits and easy shirting. There were removable collars and cuffs, and ties to leave loose or knot up however one might want. “Convertibility” was a word Maeda used several times while thumbing through her latest wares. This, combined with her asymmetric ruffle detailing, a new vintage bandana print, and plaid jacquard, made for a nostalgic collection that felt rather modern.
