Having studied knitwear design in Italy, Keiichi Muramatsu and Noriko Seki returned to Tokyo to start their fashion label everlasting sprout.

everlasting sprout

This was the pair's first runway show, and it was staged against the natural soundtrack of a rainstorm, and on a bepuddled gray stone catwalk.

This collection was inspired by images of Paris as captured by Eugene Atget, a 19th-century photographer whose sepia tones were translated into terra-cotta and peach trench coats, rough-knit jumpers, sweater dresses and shawls. There was also a high-impact, red-and-black story and, to finish, a short series of pretty knitted mini dresses in bridal white.

With all their knitwear styles produced by one of Italy's top factories, this fledgling brand represents a tantalizing fusion of kawaii (cute) Japan design sensibility and European craftsmanship. It could go far.

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