SAINT MARIA by Matthiew Sperzel
Designer Juni graduated from Central Saint Martins, later on establishing his menswear fashion brand "SAINT MARIA" in Tokyo with a debut 2019AW collection. He is inspired from adolescence, rebelliousness, and conflict derived from youth culture.
'Maria' is well known as a western Catholic name, but it is also a common name in Japan. Saint Maria was named from the differences of culture and sense of values between Japan and the west. Juni hopes his customers will wear Saint Maria with their own interpretation and values.
Juni and brand stylist Takafumi, both based in Tokyo, knew each other from Instagram when Juni was a student at CSM. Takafumi has done all styling for SAINT MARIA since the label began.
For the collaboration film project, Juni focused on the differences between his Japanese identity and Matthew (cinematographer) for interpreting Japan through American eyes.
With the latest 2020SS collection, the main theme "DECAYING BEAUTY" was inspired from the fragility of flowers acquired from a friend - expressing the beauty of transience and longevity in fashion.
Through film the team shared and expressed this concept progressing through multiple urban settings, combining Juni's sense of value for Japanese coolness and Matthew's perspective comprehending Japanese authentic street culture.
Prior to this collaboration, Juni had not photographed or filmed in any setting that resonated true Japan. It was a new challenge for his creative direction with help from Matthew's elegant and sophisticated interpretation.
