Number (N)ine is Finished

Jonathon Bauder e.mailed this blog posting to me well over five months ago in May. Somehow, it got "lost" in my inbox ... . and I'm finally posting it (poor form, I know, I apologize).

I found it in good timing at least, as it is speaking of 2009 Fall Fashion. How I would love to see the gentleman of Denver walking and bicycling in this garb ...

Number (N)ine is Finished

By Jonathan Bauder 
May 14, 2009

For those of you who are not familiar with Number (N)ine or its creator Takahiro Miyashita let me give you the rundown.

Number (N)ine was established in 1996 by Takahiro Miyashita.

In 2000, Miyashita did his first runway show in Tokyo with a solely black and white line. Around this time he began to develop a cult following of young men in Tokyo. Number (N)ine was an alternative to the mainstream style of the time. People looking for a more rebellious mode of dress flocked to Miyashita’s designs.  

His style up until late 2008 could best be described as a grungy Wild West melding with the lifestyle of Kurt Cobain. And many of Miyashita’s collections were actually set to the sounds of Nirvana.  

Eventually, Miyashita broke through to Paris where he elevated the quality and construction of his grungy garments. Here he was an insurgent showing among some of the greatest names in men’s fashion. His acclaimed collection ‘Nior’ was released in 2006 and was thought to be his best so far. A spectacle to behold in militaristic jackets, exaggerated and flowing capes with a hint sultry romance was his ‘Nior’.

In 2008 he changed gears completely. After being stranded in an Alaskan hotel room for several days due to a storm, Number (N)ine’s Fall 2009 collection adapted a new sort of punk and grunge attitude. Dilapidated jackets and disheveled pajama outfits gave way to purple velvets and sickly pale colors inspired by the curtains, carpets, and décor of his hotel room. Think Shakespeare instead of Kurt Cobain or Johnny Cash. 

Fall 2009 will be Miyashita’s last collection for Number (N)ine and is ultimately thought to be the collection that led to Takahiro’s meltdown and sabbatical from the fashion industry. After twelve years and much ground covered the immaculate and enthralling creations of Takahiro Miyashita will be put on pause. “Takahiro is emotionally and physically exhausted. He is taking a break and will be back with something soon,” the label wrote in a letter. And I SERIOUSLY hope that he does!