Foreword
Post-Human Layers is a futurist fashion presentation directed by WING_FLAP, a Tokyo based stylist and collector of rare designer garments, military surplus and sportswear. I’ve been a long time follower of his Instagram, which showcases numerous vintage pieces and his styling of them; that I find aesthetically to fall within Y2K and “Supermodern” typologies.
Andrew Bolton’s Supermodern Wardrobe [ SHELLZINE REVIEW HERE ] comes to mind when viewing both WING_FLAP’s own personal collection and this extension of it, embodied in Post-Human Layers, particularly with its use of wearable technologies and the 90’s-2000’s range of a majority of the pieces that are featured. From said previous article:
The supermodern represents the spaces between places that we commute between; amongst legion of fellow commuters, all of us strangers sharing public thoroughfares and transport. Hooded parkas, sunglasses, earphones, face masks: all barriers we wear to create a kind of mobile barrier against our fellow travelers. Surging populations, long a predicted outcome of the future, result in shrinking access to private space; which we adapt to as consumers via our outfits.
The looks presented in Post-Human Layers align with many of these supermodern aspects and includes work by designers that were featured in Bolton’s book.
As we near 2026, the amount of designer work that has been generated by commercial fashion and industrial, including military, applications is enormous, and can be overwhelming to consumers, many of whom simply want to look “cool” if not participate in a kind of collective aesthetic for the future. Thus, WING_FLAP’s work here has value in demonstrating a considered approach to futurist styling using vintage designs as well as showcasing interesting functional, if not futuristic, pieces from an era that well-predates “techwear”.
As someone who appreciates independent creativity and styling that is a synthesis of designer and practical pieces across eras, rather than just brand tribalism, I hope that this presentation inspires others for their own clothing curations and creative productions.
Post-Human Layers is comprised of 5 “terminal” stylings, each with their own futurist theme. WING_FLAP has provided the concepts and inspirations behind each look, as well as a list of the individual pieces used.
– XEONIQ
TERMINAL 1 ใsynthetic purityใ
I used sterile, plastic-like pure white as the main element, adding military tones through sheer materials to express a chaotic world of the future. It reflects the idea that purity can, at times, be deeply dark.
/ Garments / Accessories
- Hood vest X 2 / C.P. Company 2000 Millennium
- Military see-through shirt / 1998 Helmut Lang
- Skirt-shorts / Comme des Garรงons Homme Plus
- Sweat pants / 50s vintage
- Sandal / Satisfy ร Crocs
- Sweater / 50s vintage
- Socks / mu original
- Headphone / cmf
TERMINAL 2 ใessential formใ
A glossy, soft, and delicate leather contrasted with an inorganic, matte, military-based tactical jacket. An armor worn to reveal oneโs true essence.
/ Garments / Accessories
- Military Hood jacket / 1998 Helmut Lang
- Leather sleeve denim jacket / 2004 Helmut Lang
- Leather pants / early 2000s Helmut Lang
- Socks / mu original
- Shose / John Lobb
TERMINAL 3 ใorganic survivalใ
I used earth tones and military colors, focusing on creating a near-future atmosphere through very old garments. We may not know what the future holds, but humans will continue to learn the ways to survive.
/ Garments / Accessories
- Military jacket / Leviโs ICD (Massimo Osti)
- Cut sew / Hussein Chalayan
- Shirts / 30s vintage
- Pants / 40s U.S. Air Force
- Boots / early 90s dolce & gabbana
- Glasses / Briko zen
- Cassette player / 90s Panasonic shock wave
TERMINAL 4 ใvoid syntaxใ
Within a society saturated with pressure, I reimagined a form of programming capable of neutralizing every stress and attack, translating it into a fashion language of refined resilience.
/ Garments / Accessories
- Puffer coat / 1998 Helmut Lang
- bulletproof Puffer vest / 1998 Helmut Lang
- Mesh cut sew / early 2000s Helmut Lang
- Skirt shorts / Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci
- Trousers / 1999 Prada
- Boots / early 90s dolce & gabbana
- Radio head phone / 90s Sony sport
TERMINAL 5 ใsignal silenceใ
Through the use of minimal garments and utilitarian gadgets, I evoke a world where society and humanity alike exist as fragments of a larger program-capturing both the quiet and the inherent tension within that coded reality.
/ Garments / Accessories
- Asymmetrical Zip Jacket / 1998AW Prada
- Nylon switching wool Coat / Late 90s copperwheat blundell
- Pants / 2018 kiko kostadinov
- Boot / 1999 Prada
- Bag X 2 / 1999 Miu Miu men
- MP3 player / 2000s Nike psa play
Creative Team
ART DIRECTOR / STYLIST: WING_FLAP
Instagram Link: @wing_flap
PHOTOGRAPHER: KASIA DABROWKA
Instagram Link: @kasia.dabrowka
MODEL: SHUNSUKE SANO
Instagram: @shunsuke.sano
If you enjoyed the futurist fashion work in this presentation, the Instagram accounts of the Tokyo-based creatives involved above are well worth checking out and following.