Issey Miyake SS25: Poetic Paper
With washi fabrics and nature-inspired prints, Issey Miyake’s collection transformed traditional Japanese paper into lightweight, sculptural silhouettes.
Images courtesy of Issey Miyake
“Around us paper is ever-present,” read the show notes placed on seats at Issey Miyake’s Spring-Summer 2025 collection. Indeed, the seats themselves were made from paper. The floor was lined with paper. And, sure enough, the clothes were made from paper – or rather, washi, a traditional Japanese paper made from fine hemp fibers.
The resulting collection was lightweight yet structured, made from fabrics which were folded or scrunched to create detailed, peculiar silhouettes. The first models, enveloped in transparent shimmery fabric that covered their faces, walked barefoot to a soundtrack of running water – a reminder of the source material. Peonies, ranunculus, and asparagus leaves were delicately printed onto dresses, further emphasizing the collection’s connection to nature.
There were shirts that had been fashioned to appear as if they were worn entirely in front of the model, hanging off their body, and voluminous coats and dresses which breezed as the models walked. The collection elevated paper from an everyday material to something poetic. As the show ended, trees stirred in the wind and rain began to fall.