For Men’s Spring 2023, Junya Watanabe looks to inspiration from the past and present. Known for his skillful patchwork, incredible tailoring, and out-of-the-norm designs, Watanabe finds a balance between popularity and avant-garde with the new collection. Combining fashion, art, and pop culture, the Men’s Spring 2023 collection brings iconic pieces to an iconic collection.
Pop art is still an art form that many love now. With artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein taking over the scene in the mid-1950s, it was an era to live through. Bright colors, comic book stylings, and taking ordinary items and reimagining what they could be were principles of the form. Watanabe follows suit by incorporating these well-known images into his clothing, reimagining what art can be.

The collection features three of the most iconic pieces of pop art. Andy Warhol’s Marilyn and Campbell Soup Can are printed on t-shirts and sweatshirts. The images make up some of the patches found on certain pieces of denim as well. Roy Lichtenstein’s The Girl With Hair Ribbon is printed on a suit jacket and sweatshirt. Other artists, such as Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat, have work incorporated into the collection as well. Haring’s abstract doodles find their way onto a jacket, while his graphic “love” motif makes a patch on suit trousers. Basquiat’s drawings cover a white shirt, making the garment look as though the artist had used it as his canvas.

Watanabe stays true to his design principles by crafting perfectly tailored suit jackets, trousers, and jeans. Bright orange or blue fabric make up suit jackets. They have lighter shade pockets to provide contrast. Contrasting stitching, a staple to the Watanabe brand, holds certain jackets together as well. Denim features a mix of pop art patchwork and Watanabe’s signature patchwork look. Plaid fabrics overlap to create interesting designs, while iconic pieces of artwork surround each other to create a collage look.
The colorway for the collection is a mix of neutrals and bright colors. Staying on theme with the pop art trend, Watanabe uses neons, such as orange, yellow, and pink, to tie in with the inspirations for the collection. Neutrals, such as beige, black, and navy bring a cool feel to an otherwise loud assortment of garments.

Watanabe uses pop culture references, such as the Coca-Cola logo and the Netflix logo as well. They cover hats, jackets, and t-shirts. They tie in the pop art of the ‘50s with the pop culture of the modern age.

For Men’s Spring 2023, Watanabe uses art to make art with his clothing. From the talent of Warhol to the talent of Watanabe, this collection is one that surely stands out amongst the rest.