the pieces of issey miyake’s ‘steam stretch’ clothing line adopt their forms only when ‘activated’ by steam

a performance rather than a parade started off japanese designer issey miyake women’s autumn/winter 2012-2013 fashion show in paris. with irons in hand, assistants stepped in front of pieces of fabric, hung from several racks along the runway, and began to steam-press the material. as the audience watched, the fabric began to morph into fitted jersey dresses, each unique. the pleats of the folded fabric pull inwards with the steam, while fabric not responsive to the vapor achieves more voluminous elements like puff sleeves and cowls.

called ‘steam-stretch’, the innovative textile is ‘an instant technique’, expressed issey miyake’s young womenswear designer yoshiyuki miyamae: ‘a bit like microwave food. it’s ready straight away.’

‘steam stretch’ on the women’s catwalk, autumn/winter 2012-13, issey miyake video © lucire

issey miyake: steam stretch at paris fashion week two of the ‘steam stretch’ dresses in the show images © imaxtree, via marieclaire