For over half a century, Comme des Garcons has not just existed in the fashion world—it has rewritten its rules. Founded in 1969 by the enigmatic Rei Kawakubo, a designer who famously declared, “I have never been interested in clothing,” the brand has become synonymous with radical creativity, intellectual depth, and a defiance of conventions. Translating to “Like the Boys” in French, the name itself is a nod to Kawakubo’s rejection of gendered norms and her mission to dismantle the status quo. At Comme des Garcons we celebrate this legacy by offering a meticulously curated selection of Comme des Garçons’ most iconic and groundbreaking pieces, inviting you to join a movement where fashion transcends clothing and becomes a manifesto.
The Genesis of a Revolution: Rei Kawakubo’s Vision
Rei Kawakubo, a self-taught designer with a background in fine arts and literature, launched Comme des Garçons in Tokyo as a womenswear label. Her early work shocked the fashion establishment. The 1981 Paris debut, dubbed “Hiroshima Chic” by critics for its monochromatic palette, tattered fabrics, and asymmetrical silhouettes, redefined beauty by embracing imperfection and decay. Kawakubo’s designs were not merely clothes—they were philosophical statements, interrogating concepts of identity, power, and the human form.
Key Milestones:
1982: Introduction of Comme des Garçons Homme, challenging menswear with drapery and fluidity.
1992: Launch of Comme des Garçons PLAY, merging streetwear accessibility with high-fashion irreverence.
2004: The groundbreaking H&M collaboration, democratizing avant-garde design.
2017: Rei Kawakubo becomes only the second living designer honored with a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute (Art of the In-Between).
The DNA of Comme des Garçons: Core Philosophies
Anti-Fashion as a Catalyst for Change
Kawakubo’s work rejects trends, symmetry, and traditional “beauty.” Instead, she embraces chaos, distortion, and raw emotion. Pieces like the Lumps and Bumps collection (1997) or the Broken Bride series (2005) transform garments into sculptural art, challenging wearers to find beauty in the unconventional.Genderless Design
Long before gender-fluid fashion entered the mainstream, Comme des Garçons blurred lines with oversized suits, draped dresses, and unisex fragrances like Wonderwood and Concrete.Collaboration as Innovation
The brand’s collaborations are legendary, spanning art, music, and pop culture:Nike: Redefining sneaker culture with the Air Max 180 and Pegasus 83.
Gucci: A 2022 capsule merging maximalism with CDG’s minimal edge.
Moncler: Reinventing winterwear with avant-garde puffers.
Retail as Experience
Flagship stores like Dover Street Market (co-founded by Kawakubo) are immersive art installations, blending fashion, sculpture, and performance.
Curated Collections at COMME des GARCONS: Discover the Icons
As an authorized retailer of Comme des Garçons, we pride ourselves on offering pieces that embody the brand’s fearless spirit. Explore our selection:
1. PLAY Comme des Garçons: The Gateway to Rebellion
Signature Heart Logo: Designed by Polish artist Filip Pagowski, the playful heart-with-eyes motif adores tees, hoodies, and accessories.
Effortless Versatility: Pair PLAY’s striped polos with tailored trousers for a clash of casual and refined.
2. Comme des Garçons Homme Plus: Redefining Menswear
Deconstructed Suiting: Jackets with exposed seams, uneven hems, and layered textures.
Subversive Tailoring: Trousers with cargo pockets, asymmetrical blazers, and shirts that double as statement art.
3. Noir Kei Ninomiya: The Dark Poetry of Structure
A sub-label by protégé Kei Ninomiya, specializing in architectural designs built from metal rings, laser-cut leather, and industrial zippers.
4. Seasonal Collections: Wearable Art
SS24 Highlights: Explore this season’s focus on “Organic Deconstruction,” featuring frayed denim hybrids and biomorphic knitwear.
FW24 Preview: Upcoming wool coats with 3D floral appliqués and holographic finishes.
5. Limited Collaborations & Archive Pieces
Rare Finds: Source cult items like the 1996 Body Meets Dress collection or the 2008 Patchwork Shirt.
Recent Drops: The Comme des Garçons x Supreme capsule and CDG Shirt collaborations with Disney and The Beatles.https://comme-des-garcon.com/
