The iconic Japanese architects’s pieces were recently unveiled in Florence as part of Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2024 menswear collection.
Kengo Kuma’s “starchitect” status has always been unquestioned, but instead of impressive and spectacular buildings, he is now designing smaller things, collaborating with Fendi for its Spring/Summer menswear collection next year. He reimagined iconic Fendi pieces such as the ‘Peekaboo’ bag, ‘Baguette Soft Trunk’, and ‘Flow’ sneakers. The redesigned products all reflect Kuma’s cultural heritage and his deep connection to Japanese artisanal traditions and natural materials.
Kuma repeatedly uses a special Japanese paper called “waranashi”, which is made of cotton and tree-bark fibres and is traditionally used for origami and lantern making. This gives the bags a very natural look, with muted colors and a slightly mottled pattern. The products also feature a number of ‘yatara ami’ weaving techniques using bamboo strands. In addition to the bamboo weave, the soles of Kuma’s sports shoes are also very peculiar, with a bird’s nest-like architectural undersole.
Source: Wallpaper
Photos: Fendi
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