Home Base: Tokyo
The History: Designer Chitose Abe spent 10 years as a knitwear designer for Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe. She launched her own line, Sacai, in 1999.
Defining Style: Casual yet elegant clothing made from luxurious raw materials.
The Philosophy: Every piece in an Abe collection should be wearable in daily life. As well, the elements of daily life themselves actually inspire the collection. Her idea of elegance is not just about adding ruffles or pleats; instead, each aspect of every piece has a purpose.
Spring '08: An eclectic mix of bold and vibrant elements, each with its own unique twist or detail.
Hardware: Abe embellishes her Spring '08 line with an array of decorative elements, from sequins to beading to studs.
Software: The printed silk chiffon scarf floats throughout the collection.
Colour Palette: Black, white, mint, navy, green, purple and red. Colour blocks and patchwork. Colour is also used as a whimsical detail, whether as the pop of brightness coming from a shirt peeking out from under a cardigan or from a lining or trim.
By Robin Payne
