Tokyo James’ Spring Summer 2023 collection entitled ‘CHURCH’ emerges from the designer’s views on today’s sociopolitical climate, where the designer sees communities leaning into the uniformity of tribalism.

For Tokyo James, a new church is emerging, one where ideas, ideals and social ideologies are upgrading. Old ways are contending with new ideas, different ideologies are fighting for dominance, and like mixing multiple colours, something new and uniform is taking shape.

Featuring a predominantly black collection, James continues his journey with the brand’s classic silhouettes of tailoring, boasting a mixture of different techniques. The collection takes on the notion of reprogramming the conventional suit. Deconstructed elements of traditionalism are reborn to challenge perceptions, as seen in unique pieces transformed from the conventional suit jackets to contemporary mini skirts, and off run crooked stitches that dare to question the concept of standard tailoring.

Celebrating the juxtaposition between rigidity and fluidity, diagonal cuts, ruching, and metal hardware are intermixed with different textures and fabrics such as lace, chiffon, crepe and the brand’s favourite, leather. Raw, frayed edges are interwoven throughout the collection, purposely left unfinished to convey James’s appreciation for imperfection.

Tokyo James dives into the world of jewellery this season in a unique collaboration with the London-based fine jewellery brand Uzorh Wilson Ra’ouf, which debuted at the Spring/Summer 2023 show. The jewellery capsule takes inspiration from the African Rove Beetle to create an astonishing collection that is one of a kind.

The show was walked by American influencers Rickey Thompson and Swedish influencer Jamilla Strand

All images courtesy of Tokyo James

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