Emi Funayama’s latest collection, ‘Queen of Curves,’ pays homage to Bettie Page with a blend of fetish aesthetics and classic femininity, showcased in a vintage Tokyo venue.
Emi Funayama showcased her latest Fetico collection, titled ‘Queen of Curves,’ during a fashion show held in an old-fashioned dance hall in Tokyo. The venue, adorned with chintzy wallpaper and star-like ceiling lights, set the stage for a presentation heavily influenced by the iconic pin-up model Bettie Page, from whom Funayama drew inspiration. The collection pays homage to Page’s legacy, particularly referencing her photo book of the same name.
In a statement following the show, Funayama elaborated on her vision: “If you look at photos of Bettie, most of them are nude, so I wanted to pursue the idea of highlighting the body even more by wearing clothes. I tried to explore in my own way that fetishism can exist without showing skin.” This approach manifested in a series of innovative designs, combining elements of fetish aesthetics with classic femininity.
The collection integrated bondage harnesses over soft tailoring and floral dresses to accentuate the silhouettes of the garments. Denim jackets were transformed with the addition of eyelets, mimicking the structure of corsets, while striking pieces included a leopard print bodysuit beneath a trench coat and cropped twinsets intended to push the boundaries of traditional women’s fashion.
Fetico’s style is characterized by a sensually sophisticated aesthetic that resonates particularly well within the Japanese market, filling a niche for glamorous clothing. Although some critics suggest that the collection played it safe, with the corset jackets and lace slip dresses poised to be popular, there are indications that Funayama might benefit from taking bolder creative risks in future shows. The collection, while leaving room for growth, effectively reinterprets vintage women’s wear for contemporary audiences.
Towards the conclusion of the presentation, an oversized velvet bomber was featured, which, despite its incongruity with the mid-century silhouettes prevalent throughout the show, served as a nod to modernity infused with Funayama’s distinctive style. A notable detail was the inclusion of a leather choker that buckled around the neck, a piece that encapsulated the collection’s fusion of nostalgic and present-day design elements. In essence, the collection appears to be an envisioning of what a 21st-century Bettie Page might have worn, showcasing Funayama’s unique creative interpretation.
Source: Noah Wire Services
