For the Issey Miyake Fall/Winter 2026 show, Satoshi Kondo explores movement through sculptural pieces. Through the brand’s experimental eye, the collection becomes an exploration of wearability, expressed through the unique sculptural designs that have long defined the approach of the house of Issey Miyake.
The constructions feel architectural yet never restrict the body; instead, they follow its natural movement. Vertical silhouettes with straight cuts dominate the collection, while geometric shapes emphasise the shoulders and the hips, creating voluminous forms and almost three-dimensional constructions. The collection centres on garments wrapped, folded, and twisted around the body through origami-like techniques.
Column dresses juxtapose fluid skirts and draped fabrics, creating an interplay between structure and movement that has defined the philosophy of the house since its beginnings. The mix of proportions and layers gives each look its edgy form, natural fall, and sense of movement. Asymmetry plays with the garments, breaking with traditional notions of balance and tailoring.
Dramatic headpieces echo the garments' geometric language, extending the silhouettes' sculptural dimension. Corset-like patent leather tops add a striking finish, creating an intriguing visual synergy between the structured pieces and the flowing draped fabrics.
The absence of prints and the restrained colour palette allow the viewer to focus solely on the architectural construction, shape, and texture of each piece. Ultimately, each silhouette fully comes to life through the body that animates it. The collection is about more than construction; it’s about the relationship between fabric and the body, about the interaction between garments and the figures that inhabit them, sparking conversations about the way clothing comes to life only when worn.
Words by Carolina Benjumea