ticketsMember | Make a donation

Ensemble

Designer Junya Watanabe Japanese
spring/summer 2003
Not on view
As a designer for Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe excelled by fusing Kawakubo's confrontational approach to traditional form with his own interest in historicism. This ensemble, from spring/summer 2003, of black cotton parachute fabric with nylon straps and buckles was inspired by the utility and mechanics of backpacks. Watanabe softens the aesthetic, which recalls the bondage and fetish wear of 1970s punk, with embroidered black butterflies. The delicate all-over pattern and puffed silhouette, achieved by tightening the straps, refers to the design and construction of late-18th century polonaise gowns.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ensemble
  • Designer: Junya Watanabe (Japanese, born 1961)
  • Date: spring/summer 2003
  • Culture: Japanese
  • Medium: cotton, metal
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Inc. Gift, 2014
  • Object Number: 2014.506a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Skirt, Junya Watanabe Japanese, cotton, nylon, metal, Japanese
Skirt
Junya Watanabe
spring/summer 2003
Ensemble
Junya Watanabe
spring/summer 2006
Dress, Junya Watanabe Japanese, cotton, nylon, plastic, Japanese
Dress
Junya Watanabe
spring/summer 2003
Skirt, Junya Watanabe Japanese, nylon, wool, metal, plastic, Japanese
Skirt
Junya Watanabe
spring/summer 2003
Ensemble, Junya Watanabe Japanese, wool, polyester, plastic (polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride), nylon, cotton, mother-of-pearl, Japanese
Ensemble
Junya Watanabe
fall/winter 2015–16

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.