In 2003, Junya Watanabe celebrated the essence of Cuban life and one of the country’s most iconic exports—cigars—through a series of bold, comic-style graphic prints.
The caricature-style comic art captures the rich history of Cuban cigars. One speech bubble reads: “Puros habanos únicos desde 1492”—a small historical tidbit of the Spanish expedition led by Christopher Columbus, where Native Taíno Indians were observed rolling and burning mysterious leaves. Nearly five centuries later, Cuban black tobacco is still celebrated globally for its unmatched quality, shaped by unique growing conditions.
The shirt’s vivid color palette evokes a sense of tropical nostalgia, depicting scenes of daily life in Cuba during its golden years—a serene, small tropical paradise. This vibrancy also reflects Cuba’s enduring resilience, overcoming major challenges to prosper as a small nation among larger powers.
This lightweight Hawaiian shirt was part of Comme des Garçons Homme Spring/Summer 2003 collection, which showcased numerous grail-worthy, Cuban-inspired pieces.
