Among our arrivals for fall came a real treat—fresh silk pieces from the indomitable Christian Peau studio in Japan.
A newer addition to our family of beauty, designer Junji Koike continues to impress us with his incredible skill. Much like Junji himself, these pieces deserve a higher level of attention and reverence. What makes a Christian Peau piece most phenomenal are the subtle details. The tight gathering of a skirt that hangs just right against the hips, distressed ties at the neck that can be fashioned into a bow, hidden drawstrings that reshape the silhouette all comprise the foundational notes of Junji’s visual symphony.
The Christian Peau studio prefers to use a fabric called Golden Silk, a textile made by wild silkworms native to Southeast Asia. When woven flat, as you see in Christian Peau, it is particularly shiny, vivid and strong. It has a high sericin content, which glues the silk threads together to form the silkworm’s cocoons. As the sericin dries, it can harden and evolve. While this element adds structure to Golden Silk (a much needed counterweight that keeps the garments from being too gossamer and fiddly), it is a historically difficult fiber to dye. Rather than shy away from the challenge, Junji embraces it with vigor to create his unique textures and finishes.
We had the pleasure of hosting Junji this past August in Workshop. He is as emphatic and delightful as you would expect from someone who designs like this—a thoughtful, high-taste artist with just the right amount of playful curiosity and charm. He was joined by his daughter Hana, who you may see featured frequently on the brand’s instagram. Both of them traveled from Kobe, Japan to visit with us. We were lucky to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Hana, and to have the opportunity to know the two of them more deeply. We hope you enjoy this newest collection and we look forward to sharing the brilliance of this one-of-a-kind studio with all of you into the future.
