ANREALAGE: The Intricacies of Fashion

15th March 2023 EDT FEATURES

ANREALAGE: The Intricacies of Fashion

God is in the details, and details are in the garments.

The phrase “God is in the details” suggests that, just as the divine can be found in the small intricacies of the natural world, so too can excellence in the attention to detail in human creations. This principle holds true in the world of fashion, and found within ANREALAGE’s works.

Established in 2003 by Japanese fashion designer Kunihiko Morinaga, ANREALAGE’s name is derived from the concept of “REAL”, “UNREAL” and “AGE”. With aims to explore the intersection between virtual and reality through clothing, the brand expresses its vision through seeking possibilities found within fabrics and technology.

“I hope to slowly change the lifestyle of Japanese people through my clothings,” said Morinaga.

Although we may consider it a daring claim, there’s no denying that the brand has demonstrated its influence on the market for Japanese domestic brands. In addition to being awarded Best New Designer in the 29th Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix and Shiseido Incentive Award in 2011, ANREALAGE next made a leap onto the grounds of Paris with their SS15 collection in 2014.

Style

Since the brand’s inception, majority of ANREALAGE’s clothes have showcased handmade patchwork designs, which exemplifies their belief in the adage “God is in the details”. It has then become one of the key attributes of the label, presented in different forms through a diverse collection of pieces.

Citing manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio and Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo as personal influences, Morinaga expresses a fascination with conceptual storytelling and unconventional creative processes. This illustrates a profound inclination towards avant-garde concepts that transcend the limitations of the human body’s form.

Technology is also a significant factor utilized in ANREALAGE’s collection. As seen in past and recent runway shows, the brand pushes the boundaries of traditional fashion design through incorporating elements in fabrics that enables color-changing properties when in contact with light.

This not only adds an air of mystery and intrigue to their clothes, but it also creates an immersive visual experience for viewers during their showcases.

Projects

It isn’t difficult to spot Morinaga’s shadows in collaborative works. From partnering up with domestic ateliers like Kokuna Denim to renowned lifestyle imprints such as Champion, Onitsuka Tiger and more, ANREALAGE demonstrates a distinguishable take on classic offerings through his unique penchant for details—be it asymmetrical cuts or AR-generated prints to name a few.

In addition to his primary label, the creation of sub-labels “ANSEASON ANREALAGE” and “ANEVER” has added a fresh dimension to the brand. “ANSEASON ANREALAGE” seeks to provide a broader selection of unisex products that are more affordable than the main collection, while “ANEVER” strictly focuses on bags and accessories.

What’s to come

Taking a brand to an international scale may be a goal for most designers, but for Kunihiko Morinaga, the act of promoting his design philosophy and engaging in a visual dialogue with his audience is what truly gives purpose to his fashion production.

With what ANREALAGE has been offering for the past years, we can certainly anticipate exciting future creations from the brand.