In Praise of Bamboo Shadows

Silhouettes sway like waves.
Lines overlap one another.
Figure and ground intersect.

A wavering presence,
drifting between absence and reality.

IM MEN presented its Spring Summer 2027 collection In Praise of Bamboo Shadows on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Césure, a cultural venue housed in a former university campus in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.

This collection explores the heightened feeling and sensory flux evoked by the subtle presence of the shadows of bamboo, expressed through clothing.

The primary inspiration for this collection came from East Asian decorative arts featuring bamboo motifs, first encountered during a visit to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Misty bamboo forest landscapes in ink wash paintings and the intricate layering of branches and leaves created by the paper stencils used in katazome kimono dyeing served as aesthetic references. Drawing on their enigmatic atmosphere and quiet elegance, these influences were transformed into a distinctive expression.

The scenography unfolds with an imaginary landscape woven from black bamboo and shadows. Beyond the veil, blurred figures move back and forth in the distance, gradually revealing their contours while the translucency and layers create a sense of depth. Together, these elements create an ever-shifting scene, changing from moment to moment.

BAMBOO SHADOWS

BAMBOO SHADOWS is a series that features patterns created by graphic designer Rikako Nagashima, inspired by the forms of shadows cast by bamboo. The patterns are printed using a Japanese dyeing technique called ironaki on fabric woven from bamboo fibers and organic cotton, capturing the subtle contours of these shadows. The coat features a double-front construction and generously proportioned dolman sleeves. When the hood, seamlessly integrated into the peak lapel, is worn, the garment envelops the entire body in the pattern of bamboo.

BLOOM NYLON

BLOOM NYLON is an outerwear series that features high-density nylon with a distinctive, paper-like texture. It is created using a dye-flow technique to mirror colors reminiscent of bamboo leaves and flower petals. The collar, formed by overlapping tucks, draws inspiration from the jūnihitoe (the twelve-layered kimono) worn by Princess Kaguya in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one of the oldest Japanese folktales. Its ample volume envelops the wearer in the garment's vibrant colors.

BAMBOO BLEACH

BAMBOO BLEACH is a denim series that features garments that have been hand-dyed by artisans using a discharge printing technique. Intentionally leaving the base color along the garment's seams evokes the subtle gradations of tone found in the bamboo imagery of ink wash paintings. Woven with finer yarn than traditional denim, it creates an atypically light texture. The jacket can also be cinched at the waist to create a fitted silhouette.

BASKET JACQUARD

BASKET JACQUARD is a series that uses jacquard weaving to create a three-dimensional representation of the interlacing structure of bamboo strips used in the gozame bamboo weaving technique. The fabric combines recycled polyester for the warp and a blend of nylon and polyurethane for the weft, resulting in a lightweight and stretchy material. The blouson is crafted from a single rectangular pattern with slits cut to form the body and sleeves, while the pants feature a voluminous silhouette with a tapered hem, echoing the same structural concept as the blouson's sleeves. The piping along the edges was inspired by the edging technique used in bamboo craftsmanship.

BAMBOO PLEATS

BAMBOO PLEATS is a hand-pleated series featuring a design that echoes a row of bamboo through its repeated valley folds and rhythmic undulations. The fabric, made of polyester with an acrylic coating on the reverse side, offers a soft handle with just the right amount of stiffness to maintain the three-dimensional silhouette.

NODE PLEATS

NODE PLEATS is a series that features garments created using a hand-pleated technique, inspired by the natural rhythm and contours formed by the nodes of bamboo. The fabric, partially derived from plant-based materials and also used in the seasonless FLAT series, has a refined matte finish. This understated texture highlights the crisp pleated structure.

BAMBOO SHEATH

BAMBOO SHEATH is a series that features a print inspired by bamboo shoots, rendered with hand-painted brushstrokes. The flow of the bamboo fibers, its lustrous sheen brimming with vitality, and the soft, supple texture are all represented through these fluid strokes. The pants are inspired by the form of bamboo shoots and the layered structure of their skins. The result is a draped silhouette, as if a piece of cloth is wrapped around the body.

VOID COTTON

VOID COTTON is a series that explores the new garment contours that can emerge through the use of “negative space.” The void is created by removing the pockets, causing the body and clothing to become visible beneath, giving way to new layering structures. The denim fabric is made from yarn pre-dyed with sulfur pigments and treated with a wash process to achieve a soft texture.

CHIMAKI LEATHER BAG

CHIMAKI LEATHER BAG is a bag series that is designed to resemble chimaki, a traditional food made by wrapping glutinous rice and other ingredients in bamboo leaves and steaming them until soft. Crafted from natural leather rich in oil, the bag develops a deep luster and a softer, more supple texture the more it is used. It features an exterior zipped pocket for easy storage of small items, and the shoulder strap can be freely adjusted by changing the point at which it is tied.

ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT
SORTIE VEILED

ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT is a project that studies the human foot to develop footwear that brings new perspectives and proposals to everyday life. Jointly developed by MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO and ASICS, the project explores new possibilities in footwear, imbued with previously undiscovered value.

“SORTIE VEILED,” the second model from ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT, was born from the idea of enclosing the structural elements essential to footwear within a single layer of fabric, or a “veil.”
Reinforcement parts that are typically cut, sewn, and exposed on the exterior are instead integrated into one continuous, uninterrupted layer. Through this approach, the design subtly reveals the functional elements that compose the shoe.
The “SORTIE” series of marathon shoes, which represented ASICS in the 1980s, was named after the word “sortie,” reflecting the spirit of taking on the challenge of creating an innovative marathon shoe. This model is based on the series’ silhouette and finished in a unified, monochromatic color palette. While preserving the comfort and mobility of a sneaker, it creates a presence that extends beyond a sports-based context and integrates naturally into everyday life.

Please click the link below to view all looks of this collection.