Junya Watanabe, S/S 2002 ‘Ransom Note’ Poem Shirt

Junya's 2002 “poem” garments have entrenched themselves as a cultural high-watermark. Showcasing the words and works of thinkers from would-be romantics to doomsday philosophers, these pieces typically strip down the design elements around the surrounding text to present emphasis on the words themselves. For his SS2002 collection, Junya collaborated with Levi’s to bring to the world his first selection of garments showcasing odd poems or phrases to which were placed on a wide variety of garments down the runway.

Here we have one of the rare iterations which showcases the words with a stylised font with some letter screen printed and some stitched on with patches, made to look as if the letters were plucked from magazine pages in a reference to ransom notes. Constructed in a cotton poplin, featuring a boxy fit, button closure and side slits. Finally a bowling style collar which can be opened to produce small lapels.

Size M.

Chest: 59cm
Shoulder: 47cm
Front length: 65cm
Back: 71cm
Sleeve: 24.5cm

Condition 9/10.