For his AW09 collection Elizabeth or Spain, Dress 33 designer Toshikazu Iwaya sampled elements from Elizabethan England (remembered as the Golden Age of England, 1558–1603) and the height of the Spanish Empire (Spain’s so-called Golden Age, 1521–1643).
Living up to his reputation for high theatricality and gorgeous colouration he combined stylised Elizabethan collars and Spanish conquistador uniform tailoring. But with make up inspired by kabuki theatre, millinery creations reminiscent of strange deep-sea creatures and sci-fi accessories including sunglasses that covered the entire forehead, it was more than a simple blending of two European Golden Ages.
If you’re in Tokyo you can see the collection for yourself – the first Dress 33 flagship show recently opened at 5-5-4 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-Ku.
