Paris Fashion Week Homme SS20 : Christian Dada’s Beautiful Pilgrimage

The theme of this show was the Japanese pilgrimage, that slow and winding ascent to the mountain deities we imagine, which eventually had to become quite visible in stark relief on the Paris runway. Because on the top of the mountain, is where you meet the gods. So in stark beauty and serene and careful step you roam and rove, weaving the ancient world with the world of today, while your kimono dress or shirt is embroidered with flowers, your silk tunic or sweater covered in colourful mandalas, and on your lips rests an old Bhuddist mantra:

Reject all perfection and beauty

For who needs beauty or who needs perfection seems to say creator Masanori Morokawa when you are on the road, on a pilgrimage of which only you are the master, who really cares if you are wearing your silks in Calligraphy Black Ink, your sandals made of wood, or shoes of old leather, or denim or jeans, as long as you are able to reach one of the eighty – eight Bhuddist temples that you will find on your path, one at the time, and one only after the next, before reaching your chosen destination. Because by the time you get there, and if you get there at all, all your fashion and style will have been worn off threadbare and old, which may come in helpful when you do not wish to offend the gods.

So young man, take your best colourful sweater, your favourite shirt with your favourite print or quote on it, and you most posh jacket, and your best swag as a panacea along the way, so that the rocky mountain path may deconstruct you at will as is the wish of Christian Dada, before you meet the gods.

Report by Sandro

Photos by Christian Dada