Costume National Homme Spring 2010
Costume National Homme Spring 2010

MILAN, Jun 20, 2009 / FW/ — Cosplay (short for costume role play) is a type of performance art that originated in Japan, wherein participants dress themselves as a specific character or idea usually based from Japanese or East Asia media like anime or manga.

Ennio Capasa, who from the beginning of his career has always had an affinity with Japan, hence it is not surprising that there would be a time wherein he would go back to his design roots, and Spring 2010 happened to be the season he did.

Kimono-inspired suit jacket and loose-fitting trousers reminiscent of the ninja and/or samurai costume are the dominant shapes in this collection. But, if you’re going to say that it has been done before, please keep your peace for a few more minutes because this collection is a practical take on cosplay, which for all intent and purposes is now a global youth subculture centered around “wearing their costumes.”

For Costume National the cosplayer is an urban nomad with East Asian roots, thus his shirts have prints evocative of a Japanese screen and his loose fitting pants bring to mind martial arts costume.

While purist cosplayers will say that there is nothing in this collection that is even remotely familiar with this performing art, it is also good to note that when ‘fantasy is made into reality’, the result is a beautifully executed mode of dressing that is on the spearhead of high fashion.

[MARI DAVIS]

Milano Moda Uomo Spring 2010