To Be Twisted

Fashion is a mirror of its time, imbued with the designer’s philosophy and aesthetic sensibilities. In its AW2025-26 collection, SEVESKIG presents a reinterpretation of beauty, centered around the uniquely Japanese concept of mujo 無常 —the impermanence of all things. Weathered stone pavements and moss-covered shrines—these are not merely signs of decay but reflections of the Japanese sensibility that finds value in the passage of time. This collection is an attempt to elevate that perspective into contemporary fashion.

Designs Infused with Japanese Aesthetics

This season’s designs embody the ephemeral nature of Japanese culture and the beauty born from the accumulation of time. One of the most symbolic techniques featured is yakihaku—a traditional foil craft from Ine, Kyoto, where the foil is burned with sulfur to create unique colors and textures. The rider's jacket adorned with yakihaku evokes the patina of aged metal, making it a piece that wears the passage of time. The collection also includes half-handwoven wool tweed checks and souvenir jackets decorated with graphics created solely from needle holes, showcasing the artistry of Japanese craftsmanship.

“When exploring Japanese culture as a theme, deciding where to focus was incredibly challenging,” the designer explains. Rather than drawing from historical motifs like the Sengoku era or World War I and II, the collection focuses on the “unchanging sensibilities and aesthetics of the Japanese people.” Concepts like wabi-sabi 侘び寂び and iki 粋 are expressed through handwoven silk tape techniques and burn processing that creates intentional distressing, translating these cultural values into fashion.

Wabi-sabi is a core concept in Japanese aesthetics, celebrating the beauty found in imperfection, transience, and simplicity. It embraces the natural aging process, the asymmetrical, and the incomplete, encouraging an appreciation for the authenticity and impermanence of all things.

A Twisted Lens on Japanese Sensibility

The theme of this collection, “To Be Twisted,” goes beyond design elements—it delves into the unique complexities of Japanese sensibilities. “Japanese sensibility is somewhat twisted,” the designer notes. Whether it’s sensing the changing seasons through the sounds of insects or finding beauty in moss-covered rocks, this delicate perception is unique in a global context and is closely tied to humility and subtlety. “For better or worse, Japanese people are twisted,” the designer says, and this collection reflects that intricate psychology through its designs.

A Timeless Collaboration – Encounter with Roujin Z

This season also features a collaboration with renowned manga artist Hisashi Eguchi, who designed characters for the anime film Roujin Z. Items featuring visuals from Roujin Z are incorporated into the collection. The film’s theme of a “super-aging society” resonates with the collection’s underlying message. “Aging is the accumulation of time, and it’s not inherently negative,” the designer explains. Serving as the finale of this seasonal series, the collection ties together narratives from the past four seasons to complete an overarching story.

Looking Ahead – The Future of SEVESKIG

After five seasons of this thematic series, SEVESKIG is ready to step into a new phase. “This may be the last runway show in Japan,” the designer reveals. With an eye toward international showcases, the brand aims to craft new stories. While the underlying themes will remain constant, SEVESKIG will continue to reinterpret Japanese aesthetics and culture through fashion on a broader stage.

The AW2025-26 collection is a reflection on the passage of time and the beauty it carries. Wabi-sabi, the charm of weathering, and the twisted sensibility—all are intertwined in these designs, inviting the wearer to feel the weight of time and reconsider the profound depth that fashion can hold.