Undercover Autumn Winter 2002 "Witches Cell Division" marked Jun Takahashi's final showcase in Japan. Presented in Tokyo before the brand's move to Paris, the collection preceded, and is often overshadowed by his first Paris presentation, Spring Summer 2003 "Scab". 

However, this pre-Paris period between 1993-2002 set the tone and paved the way for what Undercover would become in the following decades; punk, political, and above all else potently of the moment. Takahashi would merge streetwear and high fashion seamlessly, decades before Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones. 

Witches Cell Division brought together two seemingly distant worlds: witches and mecha robots. Takahashi used these references to create transmutable and modular garments, drawing from the way mecha robots combine and transform, while layering and draping the pieces in a way reminiscent of witches’ clothing.

Models with heavy, punk like makeup gathered and walked on a circular stage encircled by the crowd, reminiscent of a witches’ coven. Motifs closely associated with witches, such as stars, bats, cone-shaped hats, and crosses, were shown all over the garments, appearing as graphics and embellishments.

Just as the name "Cell Division" suggests, clothing could be divided into the different permutation and function on it's own, just like cells. This 'system' of free reconstruction was first found in Takahashi’s AW99 "Exchange" collection, where garments were designed to be fully interchangeable with clothes from the same season. The absolute highlight of AW02 was 4 piece stole that could be worn as is or brought together to create a layered dress. 

This mohair wrap functions as a bandana or headscarf, and features a signature Witches Cell Division silver cross. It comes with buttons and holes, allowing it to be attached to bottoms and tops as an additional layer.

Garment is OS

Measurements:
Length: 108cm
Width: 22cm