A whimsical yet timid collection from designer Jun Takahashi. Interesting to see brighter colors on the shoes and makeup but not on the garments.

While we all know I am pretty Undercover-obsessed in general, there are 3 collections that sit high above the rest for me. One is the recent SS09, the other is the unforgettable FW06 and the other is this stunner here. “…but beautiful”, the second edition to be exact.

I collect pieces from these 3 collections whenever I have been able to over the years, and while say GuruGuru is much more in line with my usual ‘look’, these But Beautiful pieces are always the most precious, whimsical and fun to wear, compared to the other collections. And never has a name been more apt; the perfect way to describe these pieces really is, “strange… but beautiful”.

As we all know, Takahashi is a master of contradictory design, we’ve seen it so many times from him and it’s always done with such class, even if there’s also a heavy dose of irony or cheekiness involved. However, sometimes he just puts out a really dreamy collection which has all the elements of strange – but also an incomprehensible beauty that will both puzzle and entice us… but mostly the latter. This collection always really stood out for me in that way; it is just gorgeous, despite all of the oddities. The fact that all of the clothes, no matter how unusual – are completely practical and 100% functional. I have found from wearing some pieces. that the deconstruction work is mostly on the surface and does not ‘interfere’ with the garment’s form, from the wearer’s point of view.

The fabrics of this collection are one of it’s strongest attributes; it really feels like revisiting your childhood room, finding forgotten nightgowns, old doll clothes and a bunch of memories… reinvented into something you can wear as an adult. The runway styling, while it does a great job at portraying the theme – this is not one of those collections that looked magical due to the styling. These pieces, on their own, posses so much unexpected detailing that every single one is a work of art all on it’s own.

SOURCE: Undercover Spring 2005

Innovation, innovation, innovation! The latest collection from Undercover is gorgous. The layering is perfect, the trends are abundant, and how could I fail to mention those boots! The collection is perfection. I could sit and type away about this collection until I had a 1,000 word article, but I think the pictures just about cover everything I could say.

Gallery: Undercover: Fall 2009 Collection

Courtesy of: Hypebeast

We trendsparked the male skirt when we saw Marc Jacobs wear it, but now this item is a total must have. Seen on many Fall 09 runways (the above is from UNDERCOVER), this is a apparently a must for every guys closet. Also, don’t forget the male leggings, also a must, but those you can grab at America Apparel.

Undercover designer Jun Takahashi opted out of showing on the Paris runways and instead took his models to a forest outside Tokyo to be photographed in subzero temperatures. The technical silver jackets and ultra sleek helmets were a perfect match for the Mylar survival blanket runway. But Takahashi doesn’t just design clothing. His jackets are reworked with lining made of membranes and micro-capsules developed for NASA to regulate body temperature by absorbing heat and releasing it when outside degrees drop. And it looks good! Sweater dresses, long leather coats and black velvet rounded out his more toned-down pieces this season. But front and center were coats worn with matching monochromatic tights and dresses. The Undercover fall collection basically answers all my questions about looking fierce in the winter months.

GALLERY: Undercover Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style.com

The Undercover show, according to Style, took place on a Mylar blanket runway in a forest in a Japan. There were just two models and supposedly it was cold as all get out, done to highlight the high-tech nature of Jun Takahashi’s fabric choices. According to the article:

“Takahashi hybridizes biker jackets, puffers, parkas, regular tailoring, and knits to produce lightweight jackets and coats, which are lined with membranes and microcapsules developed for NASA. Some of them absorb body heat indoors and then release it when the wearer steps out into colder conditions. Others will block biting windchill, even though they’re ostensibly as flimsy as blazers.”

Read the rest of Undercover Autumn 2009: the Slickness!, HERE

Coming out from the shadows, WWD reports that Jun Takahashi’s label Undercover is set to be the guest of honor at Pitti Immagine Uomo. Past guests included the famed Martin Margiela and Thom Browne.