JNORIG’s latest collection, “SYSTEMATIC DISRUPTION,” showcased at 080 Barcelona Fashion, is a bold statement in the evolving world of fashion and technology. It’s about adapting to change and rethinking what’s real in the age of digital transformation.
The themes are big – the overlap of reality and AI, technology’s role in shaping our world, and the mix of the familiar with the unknown. The collection brings digital design and 3D printing into the mix, pushing us to question our perceptions.
Inspired by artists Shirley Kaneda and Nobuo Sekine, the collection plays with our sense of reality. Kaneda’s abstracts throw us off balance with familiar shapes in unfamiliar settings, while Sekine’s sculptures blend the industrial with the natural, challenging our ideas of what’s perfect.
“SYSTEMATIC DISRUPTION” is a call to think about how reality keeps evolving in our digital world. It’s a blend of virtual and real, a crafted experience that asks us to embrace change and find beauty in the disruption.
We met the designer before his show at 080 Barcelona Fashion and here’s what he told us:
What sparked the concept of “SYSTEMATIC DISRUPTION” for your new collection? How do Shirley Kaneda’s paintings and Nobuo Sekine’s sculptures influence the designs?
The concept of “Systematic Disruption” for our new collection was sparked by reflecting on what we consider real or surreal in the digital era we live in. Technologies like AI, AR, and 3D fashion create new worlds that challenge our interaction with these tools and how they will influence the future.
My admiration for Japanese culture led me to draw inspiration from Shirley and Nobuo, who work with the opposing concepts of real and surreal in a more traditional manner. I aim to bridge tradition and innovation by translating their work into 3D prints, futuristic silhouettes, and innovative techniques.
In what ways does your collection blur the lines between reality and artificial intelligence? Can you elaborate on the role of AI in the creative process of this collection?
Reality is a physiological concept, and I aim to provoke reflection on virtual realities and artificial intelligence. We utilize AI in the creative process by generating images for our mood boards, prompting, and developing images that inspire our designs in terms of color, silhouettes, shapes, textures, and volumes. With tools like CLO3D, we design, pattern, and visualize garments virtually, even before sewing samples, cutting operational processes, and aiming for sustainability by testing the market without physical production.
What challenges did you face combining high-tech methods with physical crafting techniques?
For this collection, collaboration with companies like HP and Stratasys was crucial in pushing technological boundaries. Understanding the limitations of 3D printing technology in terms of space, size, materials, and proportions was essential for creating designs without constraints. Challenges included ensuring proper positioning of printed elements on fabric and unifying separate printed pieces into cohesive garments, requiring patience and precision.
Could you discuss the choice of materials used in this collection and their significance?
Accessories like glasses, rings, and earpieces printed with PA11 material, provided by BAFS and supported by PROSILAS and ADDWERK, highlight sustainability and recyclability. TUP material was used for the final look’s helmet glasses and bags, provided by our collaborator Sculpteo, offering flexibility. Additionally, all fabrics selected for this collection are leftover and deadstock, reducing CO2 emissions and emphasizing quality and timelessness for sustainability.
What impact do you believe technology will have on the future of fashion design?
I believe in the future of digital and 3D printed clothing, while still valuing tradition and craftsmanship. I envision a world where physically worn garments are consciously created, while digitally worn clothing satisfies impulsive consumption. Augmented reality glasses may allow viewing others wearing digital clothing, while physical wardrobes consist of sustainable, purposeful pieces.
What were the most significant artistic challenges you encountered while creating this collection?
The initial acceptance that technology is not our enemy but our ally, was the most significant challenge. Once understood, it opened a world of limitless creative possibilities.
Can we expect future collections to continue exploring similar themes?
JNORIG’s DNA embodies sophistication, inclusion, and innovation, so these themes will always be reflected. As for future topics, they are yet to be defined.
