In May 2024, the fashion world will witness the groundbreaking U.S. launch of A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE at the ISSEY MIYAKE / NEW YORK store. This event is an expansion for the innovative brand, which continues the legacy of the original A-POC line pioneered by Issey Miyake in 1998. The concept of A-POC, which stands for “A Piece of Cloth,” revolutionized fashion by integrating the creation process from thread to garment with the participation of the wearer. A-POC ABLE builds on this foundation by enhancing the interactivity and personalization aspects of garment making, fostering a closer dialogue between the creator and the consumer through the use of cutting-edge technology and creative design processes.
The launch will be celebrated with a special exhibition from May 1-5, 2024, at the flagship store in New York. This exhibition will show the brand’s unique method of clothes-making and highlight its future oriented view of fashion through collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches. Visitors will gain firsthand insight into how A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE uses advanced computer programming to control every thread in the fabric-making stage, enabling the creation of a single piece of cloth that includes all necessary information for the final garment. This innovative process allows wearers to cut and sew pieces according to their preferences.
One of the highlights of the New York launch is the TYPE-VI Sohei Nishino project, which fuses art with apparel. Japanese photographer Sohei Nishino’s renowned Diorama Map series, which stitches together photographs to form a map-like representation of cities, is incorporated into the fabric of the garments. This collection, including a five-pocket pant featuring a woven image of New York and a reversible convertible collar coat showcasing London, transform clothing into interactive canvases that narrate personal and urban tales.
Led by Yoshiyuki Miyamae, a seasoned designer with a history at Miyake Design Studio, the brand is introducing a new era of fashion that emphasizes sustainability, personalization, and the integration of technology and craftsmanship.
