IM MEN Spring/Summer 2027: In Praise of Bamboo Shadows Brings Japanese Craftsmanship to Paris Fashion Week
IM MEN presented its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, In Praise of Bamboo Shadows, during Paris Fashion Week at Césure, transforming the former university campus into an immersive landscape where nature, movement, and craftsmanship converged. Rooted in the quiet elegance of bamboo, the collection explored the interplay between light and shadow, translating fleeting moments of perception into sophisticated menswear through innovative textiles and sculptural silhouettes.
Inspired by East Asian decorative arts discovered at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the collection drew from ink wash paintings, bamboo motifs, and the intricate layering found in traditional Japanese katazome dyeing. The runway itself echoed these influences, with black bamboo installations and translucent scenography creating an ever-changing environment where blurred figures gradually emerged from the shadows. Designed alongside graphic designer Rikako Nagashima, the presentation became an extension of the garments, reinforcing the collection’s poetic dialogue between presence and absence.
The season showcased a series of highly technical fabric innovations. BAMBOO SHADOWS featured bamboo-inspired graphics created using the traditional Japanese ironaki dyeing technique on bamboo fiber and organic cotton, while oversized coats enveloped the wearer in layered shadow-like patterns. BLOOM NYLON introduced lightweight outerwear crafted from paper-textured high-density nylon, dyed with flowing gradients reminiscent of bamboo leaves and flower petals, complemented by sculptural collars inspired by the layered jūnihitoe robes from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
Denim was reimagined through BAMBOO BLEACH, where artisan discharge printing recreated the tonal gradients of ink paintings across lightweight fabrics, while BASKET JACQUARD translated traditional bamboo weaving into contemporary stretch jacquard textiles with architectural construction. Sculptural texture continued through BAMBOO PLEATS and NODE PLEATS, whose hand-pleated techniques echoed the rhythm and natural structure of bamboo forests, resulting in garments that moved fluidly while maintaining bold three-dimensional silhouettes.
Elsewhere, BAMBOO SHEATH presented expressive hand-painted prints inspired by emerging bamboo shoots, while VOID COTTON experimented with negative space by removing conventional pocket structures, creating new layering effects that blurred the relationship between body and garment. Accessories extended the collection’s narrative through the CHIMAKI LEATHER BAG, inspired by the traditional bamboo leaf-wrapped Japanese delicacy and crafted from richly oiled leather designed to age beautifully over time.
The presentation also introduced the latest evolution of ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT. Developed in collaboration with ASICS, the new SORTIE VEILED sneaker conceals its structural components beneath a seamless outer layer, creating a minimalist silhouette while preserving the comfort and performance heritage of ASICS’ iconic marathon footwear.
With In Praise of Bamboo Shadows, IM MEN delivered one of Paris Fashion Week’s most thoughtful presentations of the season. By merging traditional Japanese artistry with advanced textile research and innovative garment construction, the Spring/Summer 2027 collection demonstrated how fashion can transform the quiet beauty of nature into a modern wardrobe that feels both timeless and forward-looking.
