Comme Des Garcons fashion trend
Comme des Garçons, the Japanese fashion label founded by Rei Kawakubo in Tokyo in 1969, stands as one of the most influential and revolutionary forces in contemporary fashion. The brand, whose name translates to “like boys” in French, has Comme Des Garcons consistently challenged conventional notions of beauty, silhouette, and gender in clothing for over five decades. Kawakubo’s visionary approach has transformed Comme des Garçons from a small Tokyo boutique into a global phenomenon that continues to inspire designers, artists, and fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
The Philosophy Behind the Brand
At the core of Comme des Garçons’ identity is a radical philosophy that rejects traditional Western ideals of beauty and proportion. Rei Kawakubo, who has no formal fashion training, approaches design as an art form, prioritizing concept over commercial appeal. Her work is characterized by a deliberate deconstruction of familiar garments, creating asymmetrical forms, unfinished seams, and deliberately distressed fabrics that challenge the very definition of clothing.
Kawakubo’s design ethos centers on what she calls “the beauty of imperfection” and “the elegance of poverty.” She finds beauty in irregularity, asymmetry, and the unfinished, drawing inspiration from Japanese aesthetics of wabi-sabi, which appreciates imperfection and transience. This approach stands in stark contrast to the polished perfection often valued in Western fashion.
Key Design Elements and Innovations
Comme des Garçons is renowned for several distinctive design elements that have become signatures of the brand:
- Deconstruction: Long before deconstruction became a fashion trend, Kawakubo was deconstructing garments, exposing seams, linings, and construction elements typically hidden from view.
- Monochromatic Palettes: While the brand occasionally incorporates color, Comme des Garçons is best known for its extensive use of black, which Kawakubo has described as “modest and arrogant at the same time.”
- Asymmetry and Irregularity: Garments often feature uneven hemlines, mismatched sleeves, and intentional distortions of the human form.
- Volume Manipulation: The brand plays dramatically with proportion, creating exaggerated silhouettes that either envelop the body in voluminous fabric or constrict it in unexpected ways.
- Androgyny: Comme des Garçons has consistently blurred gender lines in clothing, creating pieces that transcend traditional categories of menswear and womenswear.
Historical Evolution of Trends
Comme des Garçons’ evolution can be traced through several pivotal collections that introduced new ideas to the fashion world:
In the early 1980s, Kawakubo presented her “Lace” collection, which featured black lace garments that were simultaneously elegant and austere. This was followed by the groundbreaking 1982 “Destroy” collection, which featured garments with holes, frayed edges, and distressed fabrics, challenging the notion that new clothes should be pristine.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the emergence of what would become known as “anti-fashion” – oversized, shapeless garments in dark colors that completely obscured the body. The 1997 “Lumps and Bumps” collection featured dresses with padding creating unusual protrusions from the body, fundamentally challenging conventional ideas about flattering silhouettes.
Influence on the Fashion Industry
Comme des Garçons’ influence on fashion cannot be overstated. The brand pioneered many concepts that have since become mainstream:
- Deconstruction: The exposed seams and raw edges that were once shocking are now common elements in contemporary fashion.
- Minimalism: While Comme des Garçons is not minimalist in the strictest sense, its reduction of fashion to essential forms influenced the minimalist movement of the 1990s.
- Streetwear: The brand’s fusion of high fashion with street sensibilities helped pave the way for the luxury streetwear phenomenon.
- Gender Fluidity: Comme des Garçons’ gender-neutral approach has influenced the growing movement toward unisex and gender-fluid fashion.
Cultural Significance and Impact
Beyond fashion, Comme des Garçons has had a profound cultural impact. The brand’s collaborations with artists, architects, and musicians have blurred the boundaries between fashion and other creative disciplines. Notable collaborations include partnerships with choreographer Merce Cunningham, artist Cindy Sherman, and musicians like Pharrell Williams.
The brand’s retail spaces, known as “Dover Street Market,” have revolutionized the concept of fashion retail. Created by Kawakubo and her husband Adrian Joffe, these stores function as curated marketplaces where Comme des Garçons sits alongside other innovative brands, creating a unique shopping experience that emphasizes creativity and discovery.
Conclusion
Comme des Garçons stands as a testament to the power of vision and conviction in fashion. For over five decades, Rei Kawakubo has remained true to her artistic vision, consistently creating clothing that challenges, provokes, and inspires. In an industry often driven by commercial considerations and fleeting trends, Comme des Garçons has demonstrated that fashion can be both intellectually rigorous and emotionally resonant.
