Comme des Garçons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Comme des Garçons, French for 'like boys', is a Japanese fashion label headed by Rei Kawakubo, who is also its sole owner.
Comme des Garçons has a dozen boutiques and approximately 200 vendors around the world, with flagship stores in Aoyama, Tokyo's high fashion disrict as well as the the prestigious Place Vendôme in Paris. Each year, the company grosses in the neighborhood of $150 million.
The label was started in Tokyo by Rei Kawakubo in 1969. Comme des Garcons became successful in Japan throughout the 1970s. A men's line was added in 1978. 1981 saw Comme des Garcons's debut show in Paris which created a storm of controversy for its predominate use of black and distressed fabrics. Throughout the 1980s, Comme des Garcons's clothes were often monochromatic, asymmetrical and draped over the body. Tears, holes and frayed edges were also a feature. Comme des Garcons (along with Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake ) attacked established notions that clothing had to be sexy, colourful and beautiful.
After the Paris debut, Comme des Garcons was often subject of exhibitions around the world including a popular exhibition at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris in the mid 1980s consisting of photographs taken by Peter Lindburgh. 2006 saw an exhibition in Shibuya, Tokyo of Comme Des Garcons advertising and graphic design.
With the design's avant-garde architectural aesthetic, Kawakubo and her Tokyo-based design team, constantly push creative boundaries, bringing fashion more into the realm of conceptual art. 1997s spring/summer collection, often referred to the 'lumps and bumps' collection, perplexed and confused many fans. It featured predominately tight tops and skirts that were swollen by goosedown-filled lumps which distorted the body shape. This led to a collaboration, also in 1997, between Rei Kawakubo and New York-based choreographer, Merce Cunningham called 'Scenario'. 2006s autumn/winter collection dealt with the concept of the 'persona', the different ways we present ourselves to the world. Fusing tailored menswear with more feminine elements such as corsets and flower printed dress fabrics, the designs provided a commentary through fabric and pattern about the masculine and feminine aspects of dress, presentation and our deeper selves.
Comme des Garçons also produces a line of unisex fragrances, most of which are unconventional in the world of perfume, in the same spirit as the label's garments. They released their first fragrance 'Comme Des Garcons' in 1994. 1998 saw the release of Comme des Garcons's first 'anti-perfume', 'Odeur 53', a blending 53 non-traditional notes to create a modern and striking scent. Some of these notes being; oxygen, flash of metal, washing drying in the wind, mineral carbon, sand dunes, nail polish, cellulose, pure air of the high mountains, burnt rubber and flaming rock. 2000 saw the debut of the Comme Des Garcons parfums PARFUMS series. 'Series 1 - Leaves' consisted of five fragrances based on leaves such as Mint, Lily and Shiso.
Comme des Garcons opened the first of their 'Guerilla' stores' in 2004 in Berlin. The Guerilla store's aim is to only be open for 1 year and to spend a minimal amount of money on the interiors. The stores are also to be located away from fashionable hubs and districts of a city. Comme des Garcons Guerilla stores have been opened (and subsequently closed) in Reykjavik, Warsaw, Helsinki, Stockholm and Athens amongst others with more to open in the future.
2005 saw the opening of Dover Street Market (DSM) in London. A multilevel store conceptualised by Rei Kawakubo. As well as selling Comme Des Garcons lines, other designers are personally invited by Rei to open a section of the store and design it in any way they wish while often selling limited edition pieces made only for DSM.
Junya Watanabe and, as of recently, Tao Kurihara have started their own sub-labels under the Comme des Garcons name to much acclaim. Both were also involved in designing for the casual womens line 'Comme Des Garcons Tricot'.
Comme Des Garcons have collaborated with various other labels over the years including Vivienne Westwood, Fred Perry and Speedo.
[edit] Comme Des Garcons lines
- Comme Des Garcons
- Comme Des Garcons Comme Des Garcons
- Comme Des Garcons Homme
- Comme Des Garcons Homme Plus
- Comme Des Garcons Homme Deux
- Comme Des Garcons Tricot
- Comme Des Garcons Shirt
- Comme Des Garcons Play
- Comme Des Garcons Noir
- Tao Comme Des Garcons
- Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garcons
- Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garcons Man
