Issey Miyake A/W 2018

Mood board: designer Yusuke Takahashi often looks to nature and the contrast between the city and the elements; his A/W 2018 collection explored functionality. How to create workwear that’s relaxed yet able to stand up to the demands of urban life? Re-thinking workplace uniforms is a preoccupation for designers today – the Silicon Valley generation don’t recognise suiting, stiff collars and knotted ties. It’s sneakers with suits, brogues with jersey track pants – everything is upside down. Just as Off-White’s Virgil Abloh examined ‘business casual’ for A/W, twisting jersey separates and pinstripe suiting, Takahasi gave his working man a wardrobe of startling ease.

Best in show: key for the season is a series of reversible garments that can be freely worn inside out – soft and lightweight, they are spot-on for this modern world. At Fendi, all of the clothes were reversible too but for ease when traveling; at Miyake, these clothes have an aesthetic pull bellied by a Japanese pragmatism. Thick striped cotton jackets can be turned inside out to reveal raised wools, worn with matching trousers. A double-weave zip-up shirt jacket oscillates between a gleaming Giallo red chambray and deep black bouclé.

Finishing touches: the round sunglasses are a re-edition of a Miyake design first released in 1985. The style consists of a straight line in lightweight titanium with two circles of acetate resting over the eyes. A/W 2018 is a standout season for sneakers too from the showy to the serene; a square-toe chunky sandal and a technical mesh plimsoll set the Miyake man off on his mission.