A Conversation with Takahiro Miyashita

The designer of TheSoloist sits down with SSENSE coorespondent Tiffany Godoy and talks about pop culture his career and reflects on Number (N)ine.  The interview also touches on his designs for his forthcoming FW18 collection which was previously covered HERE. As a big Number (N)one fan over the years, this has to be my favorite … Read more

Takahiro Miyashita The Soloist FW18 Collection

Jun Takahashi and Takahiro Miyashita have long been friends and this year they got the chance to show their collections together earlier today at Pitti Uomo. The two designers agreed to a shared theme for their respective collections; an exploration of order and disorder. They had also consulted each other on the the mutual finale that saw a line of Takahiro’s models in black synthetic face an opposing line of models in white floor length pleated skirts emerge from Takahashi’s side It seemed that both their collections channeled an overall feeling of alienation and rebellion, Miyashita’s was much more focused on subverting traditional elements of men’s fashion.

He went down the list of menswear classics , incorporating things like houndstooth but kept them hidden or obscured by his avant garden nomadic looks. Many of the models wore layers of technical nylon items, decorated with bags and accessories. The runway looks gave the impression of armor, with oversized cloaks. The footwear consisted of tall boots and even traditional Japanese Geta (sandals). It was difficult to tell where one piece ended and another began but the effect was impressive; Miyashita was effective at drawing the audience into his world. In many ways the Soloist has been a brand that is more product than spectacle focused than Miyashita’s past work at Number (N)one, with his Fall/Winter 2018 collection however Miyashita showed that he could achieve both with one collection. Check out the rest of the looks after the jump.

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TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist FW16 Collection

Designer Takahiro Miyashita releases images of his Fall/Winter 2016 collection under his label The Soloist. Once again he turns to rock stars as primary inspiration. Styles are named after the like of John Lennon, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. The assortment of looks recall moments from past Number (N)ine collections like Noir and A Closed Feeling. The pieces range from the fantastical to practical easy basics. Certain styles were crafted with usability in mind, patches on the legs and seats of jeans were designed for cycling.  They were made to protect your seat and your trousers from the chain along with a detached waistband to  hang your bike lock on. Certain Jackets are lined with PrimaLoft, a wind- and water-resistant fabric, combined with luxurious bits of cashmere and velvet. It’s good to see that Takahiro is thinking about about more than just making beautiful pieces, he’s making garments that provide function.

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The Soloist by Takahiro Miyashita SS16 Lookbook

Takahiro Miyashita has never been the type of designer to rest on his laurels. If one thing has defined his design career, it has been his ability to constantly shift from season to season. From Number (N)ine, to this his 13th collection of the Soloist. While the DNA of his work remains vintage Americana filtered through a rock and roll viewpoint, it seems he has chosen to focus on sleeker cuts and a lot of monochrome looks this time around. Looking at the lookbook, it’s hard not to think Noel Gallagher, but fortunately the clothes seem much more relevant in 2015.

See more after the jump, and find current season Soloist stuff at Barney’s or HAVEN.

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Foot the Coacher x The Soloist Sneakers

Somehow I missed the previous Foot the Coacher x the Soloist sneakers. Despite the highly questionable brand name, these sneakers take inspiration from vintage models and really stand out as a well done collaboration. There are elements of Takahiro’s design signatures , such as the asystmtrical lacing system. High quality suede, leather and mesh sit atop of Vibram soles.

Available now at Beams retailing ¥39,960.

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TheSoloist SS15 Lookbook

Through his design career, Takahiro Miyashita has returned to Western motifs time and again. It seems he’s also simplified many of his designs to key silhouettes and patterns. Gone are some of the more ornate details of older Soloist collections and personally I feel they are a bit missed here. On the positive side, the selection of light outerwear, oversized shirting and denim found in the Spring/Summer collection should be easy to incorporate into your wardrobe.

View more images after the jump

Images via Eyescream

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The Soloist x Oliver Peoples 4

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Oliver Peoples showroom in soho to check out their upcoming designs. What excited me the most was the forth collaboration between Takahiro Miyashita of The Soloist. Since the sub-lines intial launch, Oliver Peoples has been steadily cranking out beautiful eyeglasses that would be perfect to pair with clothes by the Soloist.

This time around the designs are simple but bold. The voluminous shape of the frames was created by shearing a pressed sheet of acetate to 12mm thick at the hinge, resulting in the frame front appearing to flow backward.  The distinctive styles boast sharp-edged beveling of varied widths along the frame front and temples.

The icing on the cake is the special cleaning cloth that comes with each pair, which is designed with the Soloist paisley bandana pattern. All models should be available now at select Oliver Peoples retailers.

Special thanks to Jon Carlo for inviting me.

More photos after the jump 

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The Soloist SS13 Collection Showroom Visit

We posted up the The Soloist Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook we earlier today, now comes the showroom pics that reveal some of the shirting, outerwear, and accessories from the collection. The collection is inspired by the style of actor John Cassavetes in his various roles. The outerwear in this collection is a bit more understated and less ornate than past soloist seasons. Miyashita puts his spin on trench coats, MA-1s, and even tartan gingham-check shirts for this spring range.

In the accesories department, once again The Soloist collaborates once again with Oliver Peoples on an eyewear range. As well there is a large line of jewelery including collaborations with jeweler Cody Sanderson. There are also several shoes in the line that are made in conjunction with AUTHENTIC SHOE & CO as well. Expect items to begin arriving in stores in late January 2013.

More images after the jump

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The Soloist by Takahiro Miyashita SS13 – Symphony # 0007

Takahiro Miyashita presents his Spring/Summer 2013 collection for The Soloist, Symphony # 0007, with a lookbook comprised of subdued black&white film photography. The clothes themselves harken back to some of Takahiro’s earlier work with Number (N)ine.

The range reintrepts classic men’s staples such as gingham check shirts, trench coats, and parkas. The design is meant to marry functionality and design and the formal with casual. We’ll be focusing on specific items from the collection in an upcoming post.

Images via Fashionsnap

See more after the jump

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