Takahiro Miyashita, AKA The Soloist, returns to Paris. While his latest encore in the city with a showroom marks a further step towards a full-stage return in Paris, he has not hit the runway. During the pandemic, Miyashita put his collections on hiatus in Tokyo but is apparently ready to rejoin the global fashion epicentre.
Americana Through a Soloist Lens
Miyashita’s latest collection (not including his first ‘Timeless Turner’ collaboration) is called ‘Black and White Realism,’ It draws heavily from Americana, the mythos of the Wild West. In October last year, the designer travelled across the U.S., immersing himself in the rugged lore of icons like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. As Miyashita put it, the collection’s title was inspired by what an absurd, catchy band name an iconic duo might have, much to the whimsical in his storytelling.
Cowboy concho belts, stetsons, and this Americana influence forked their way. True to Soloist form. These tough motifs are imaginatively transformed into something unique with a delicate romanticism, and the bravado of the Wild West becomes something else entirely.
Tailoring with a Heartbeat
The collection’s core explores formal menswear, reinterpreted via Miyashita’s distinctive touch. Tailoring takes centre stage, and tuxes are surprisingly sensitive and elegant.
- Velvet and daisy jacquard embroidery tuxedos were made of them, and luxurious velvet.
- These formal pieces were often paired with unexpected bottoms: culottes, voluminous trousers, or skirts.
- A stacked collection of suits that not only looked fabulous but were red-carpet-ready enough for stylists to wear through awards season.
Miyashita’s thoughtful strategy continued past the conventional. Boxer shorts, worn unbuttoned or to look like a skirt, added undressed vulnerability. Popper buttons can be added to long coats, transforming them into jumpsuits. Unshaven shirts with the marker-scribbled charm of a last-day-of-school shirt in a vintage shop can be worn.
Even the traditional pieces, such as tuxedo jackets, were given a Soloist twist: some were puffed up with down vest-like forms, others paired with lavallière shirts tied loosely in bows. Each design was beautifully broken with a poetic sense of formality, challenging the boundaries of men’s wear.
A Call for Sweetness in Fashion
Miyashita’s designs show the longing for sensitivity and sensuality in a fashion landscape he believes to have lost. His notes explained that the clothes on display today lack sweetness. “Their sole purpose is being some monstrosity of generic clothing, not sensuality.” Though for me, sweetness will always have been a favourite.”
It is part of their ethos, literally, because it is woven into every thread of the collection. The collection is deeply personal, from soft romanticism tailored to intimate, almost vulnerable styling. It is a reminder that fashion should and can create emotion and that art and wearability can bridge a gap.
Bang Bang: Straight to the Heart
With ” Black and White Realism, ” Miyashita again delivers a masterclass in storytelling through design. This collection challenges a certain idea of menswear and embraces elegance, vulnerability, and sweetness.
This is why he is a vital force in the fashion world, and he planted his flag again in Paris. That is not to say his beliefs are not about clothes; they are about connection, emotion, and something that is truly beautiful and rings true. Bang bang, indeed.
Sophia Walker is a fashion journalist who reports on the latest trends, events, and industry news, keeping readers informed about the dynamic world of fashion.
