It’s obvious to state that humans are now completely dependent on their phones and computers for communication, information, and commerce. In fashion, however, despite the fact that many labels are focused on upping their Instagram footprints or selling clothes with the help of a digital avatar, precious handmade things are au courant again. Sure, there are luxury brands like Balenciaga and Maison Margiela pushing the future-is-now agenda, but consumers seem to be drawn to the finer details of a non-machine-made garment these days.
Designer Hanako Maeda has always appreciated and utilized the handcrafted in her work. When she launched her label Adeam in 2013, Maeda set out to design clothes that showcased functionality and Japanese artisanship, and to sell those clothes at a not-so-astronomical price point. Her latest outing is a sort of greatest hits album, one that showcases her love for shirting, convertible clothing, the mix of masculine and feminine silhouettes, and nods to the kawaii (cute in Japanese) aesthetic.
There are pretty tiny bow embellishments on the sleeves of a button-down made with water-resistant gingham, a ruffled obi-style belt that can cinch the waist of a boxy jacket, and sharply tailored bustier dresses. A plaid dress with tied sleeves is reversible, as is a cool denim ruffled top. Every piece is made in Maeda’s Tokyo atelier using fabrics like Japanese crepe and a synthetic material that feels as light as linen but won’t wrinkle.
As a whole, Adeam offers a digestible, practical version of the handcrafted fashion phenomenon. Maeda isn’t asking anyone to shut down their social media pages or to stop shopping online but, rather, to buy beautiful clothes that are made for humans, by humans; this collection is proof of the allure of that simple notion.
