DENHAM explores the V&A
Part II: The art of Ukiyo-e storytelling
For Spring '25, DENHAM explores the archives of the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) once again. Through our East meets West philosophy we share cultural ideas and silhouettes to create a capsule collection inspired by Japanese woodblock printing from the ‘Ukiyo-e’ era.
The floating world
The term Ukiyo-e meaning ‘floating world’, is a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. Its artists produced woodblock prints and paintings of female figures, kabuki actors, sumo wrestler, scenes from history and folk tales, travel scenes and landscapes, flora and fauna and more.
The art of Ukiyo-e storytelling
This capsule collection features the artistry of some of the Edo period's most renowned Ukiyo-e creators, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary design. For men, the collection includes details from a bold kimono print worn in a kabuki theatre scene by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865). Women's designs are inspired by Utagawa Kuniyoshi's (1797–1861) evocative woodblock print from the series Lens onto the Human Heart, fusing intricate Japanese themes with modern and refined tailoring.
