show in Paris was criticized for his gauche use of cultural appropriation. His work is considered more practical than his mentor, Rei Kawakubo's. He works with a team of 30 people and with an English translator. Personal life He keeps a very low profile, not appearing for the customary bow at the end of his runway shows, which he presents four times a year in Paris, rarely giving interviews to the press, and is reticent to talk about himself in general. In popular culture Watanabe is heavily referenced in (and is the namesake for) a song by American rappers Kanye West and Playboi Carti, titled "Junya", from West's 2021 album Donda. References External links All of the collections, Vogue.com Living people 1961 births Japanese fashion designers Clothing brands of Japan People from Fukushima Prefecture