Since its launch in 2003 by designer Arashi Yanagawa, JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN has continued to shine as one of the leading brands in the Japanese fashion world. Starting with men's fashion, the brand now also offers women's wear, presents its collections overseas, and captivates fashionistas around the world. The brand's Fall/Winter 2020 collection will be unveiled. In conjunction with the promotion at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 2F, Men's Creators, from September 2nd (Wed) to 15th (Tue), we will introduce the collection and interview Mr. Yanagawa about the background behind the collection and his thoughts on fashion "now".

20FW Collection

This season's collection is inspired by the works of German film director Wim Wenders and the performances of German contemporary dance choreographer and dancer Pina Bausch.

Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire" worldview is expressed through traditional British herringbone wool and supple Italian wool, incorporating military details such as pearl buttons to accentuate the waist folds and stitched gathers at the waist. Floral and geometric prints are hand-painted, wide trousers with box pleats at the sides create an extremely flared silhouette, and a button-detailed Chester coat and oversized knitwear are styled to express the fluidity of Pina Bausch's performance.


Drawing inspiration from the industrial music and dark subculture that have always been central to John Lawrence Sullivan's work, bondage straps are incorporated, and the embossed leather shoes featuring crocodile, lizard, and ostrich patterns are finished with pearl accents.

The pearl accessories are a collaboration with the accessory brand <YOSHiKO CREATiON>, designed by Yoshitaka Kajitani, and the sunglasses are a collaboration with the London-based eyewear brand <BLYSZAK>.


Furthermore, the jacquard scarves, which incorporate the worldviews of Wim Wenders and Pina Bausch with the words "Last Waltz," "Dance with Me," and "Floating Emotions," are a collaboration with the New York-based scarf brand MONTMARTRE NEY YORK.

We asked Mr. Yanagawa about this collection.

—How did you come across Wim Wenders' work and Pina Bausch's performance?

Yanagawa : "About 15 years ago, a friend took me to see Pina's Palermo, Palermo and Full Moon as a birthday present. At the time, I was involved in Tokyo Collection, and I felt like I was seeing the way she directed everything and the kind of expression I should aim for in the future, and I unconsciously shed tears. Since then, I've seen her works in New York, London, and various other places. I think I first learned about Wim when I was in middle school or high school, after a friend recommended Paris Texas. I love Paris Texas and Pina, and I still watch them repeatedly on DVD."

—Inspired by the work of Wim Wenders and the performances of Pina Bausch, what are your particular considerations when actually translating them into fashion?

Yanagawa : "I tried to reflect the mood I felt from movies and performances in the colors, textures, and volume of the materials and silhouettes."



—What are your thoughts on fashion "now," and what do you want ISETAN MEN'S customers to feel through this promotion?

Yanagawa : "As always, I strive to create provocative pieces that stir and stimulate people's hearts. I would be happy if people could feel something from our clothes that I felt when I first saw Pina Bausch."





Click here for the Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store's John Lawrence Sullivan product list.