Awakening to the farmyard symphony of a rooster’s crow, Watanabe presented his first ensemble featuring an oversized tote bag emblazoned with the logo of the renowned London eatery, St John. Originally the culinary extension of Soho’s The French House—a bar famed for patrons like Francis Bacon, Dylan Thomas, and Lucian Freud—St John later relocated to Clerkenwell’s St John Street, close to Smithfield’s meat market. The restaurant is famous for its ‘nose to tail’ cooking philosophy, utilizing offal and less commonly used parts of the animal, embodying an anti-waste ethos.
This anti-waste approach has deeply influenced Watanabe’s recent collections, subtly revealing his genuine political beliefs. His designs have evolved to become nearly season-less, reinforcing his philosophy of buying less but choosing quality. Through numerous collaborations, Watanabe ensures the exceptional production of technical wear, casual attire, and tailored pieces, offering garments that are not only expertly crafted but also built to endure.
This season, Watanabe expressed his convictions through his tote, showcasing logos of The Real Review, St John, Amsterdam coffee shops, and his own MAN brand. It was his way of voicing his concerns, and we are more than willing to adopt this slow-but-sure approach, ready to follow Watanabe all the way to the farmyard.