Junya Watanabe 2002 Spring/Summer Runway Dress

A runway piece from the 2002 Spring/Summer collection — widely regarded as the pinnacle of Junya Watanabe’s early “Structured Denim” exploration.

For SS2002, denim was treated not as casual fabric, but as architectural material. Through curved panel construction and layered seaming, Watanabe sculpted dimensional forms directly onto the body, translating deconstruction into wearable structure.

Multiple arched panels radiate across the front bodice, wrapping the torso in controlled volume. The inner denim fibers are intentionally pulled and reversed to create natural fringe textures, while arc-shaped seams and pressed lines along the sides expand subtly in motion, forming strong dynamic curves. An asymmetrical hem and wrap-style construction heighten the tension between fabric and body — restrained, precise, and unmistakably of the season.

This example is an AD2015 reproduction, differing from the original 2002 issue only in minor production details, while fully preserving the original silhouette and design integrity.

Material
100% Cotton denim
Medium-light weight washed denim with natural faded patina. Fringe achieved through self-fabric fiber extraction.

Condition
Near mint. Exceptionally well preserved. Rare to find in this state.

Size
XS
Shoulder: 40 cm
Hip: 45 cm
Length: 125 cm

A significant early 2000s Junya runway document — an essential piece for serious archive collectors.