Rei Kawakubo
Comme des Garçons
Explore the avant-garde vision of Rei Kawakubo, the creative force behind Comme des Garçons. Known for redefining fashion with deconstruction, innovation, and radical designs that challenge conventions.
Comme des Garçons
Tokyo, Japan
1969
Comme des Garçons, led by the enigmatic Rei Kawakubo, is arguably the most influential avant-garde house in history. It treats fashion as pure artistic expression.
Creative Director: Rei Kawakubo
Signature Elements: Polka dots, deconstruction, architectural shapes, and the 'Heart' logo (PLAY).
Founder
History
Founded in 1969, CDG challenged every rule of dress. Kawakubo's 1981 Paris debut featured 'holes' in sweaters and distressed fabrics. Over decades, she has explored themes of 'lumps and bumps,' 2D dimensions, and body modification, effectively using the runway as a conceptual art installation.
Brand Philosophy
Creation is suffering. Kawakubo constantly seeks to make things that have never been seen before. The brand is anti-commercial in its mainline, yet highly commercial in its diffusion lines like PLAY.
Major Milestones
- 1969: Founded in Tokyo.
- 1981: Paris debut.
- 2004: Dover Street Market opens.
Timeline
Founded
1969-01-01
Rei Kawakubo starts CDG.
Lumps and Bumps
1997-01-01
Most controversial collection.
Current Status
Rei Kawakubo remains the sole owner and creative force, operating an empire that includes Dover Street Market and nurturing protegés like Junya Watanabe.
Key Collections
The Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body (SS 1997)
The 'Lumps and Bumps' collection that challenged the human silhouette.
Trivia
- Rei Kawakubo rarely gives interviews and believes her manufacturing process is a trade secret.
Cultural Impact
CDG invented the 'concept store' with Dover Street Market and popularized the idea of fashion as intellectual sculpture.
brands you might like
Chanel
Paris, France
1910
Chanel is a legendary French fashion house known for timeless elegance, the Little Black Dress, tweed suits, and Chanel No. 5. Founded by Coco Chanel, it redefined modern women's fashion.
Christian Dior
Paris, France
1946
Christian Dior is a legendary French fashion house that redefined post-war elegance with the 'New Look.' Today, it is led by Jonathan Anderson, who oversees women's, men's, and couture lines.
Balenciaga
San Sebastián, Spain
1917
Balenciaga, founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, is a pioneering house known for avant-garde silhouettes. Formerly led by Demna, it is now under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli as of 2025.
Gucci
Florence, Italy
1921
Gucci is an emblem of Italian luxury, known for its eclectic and romantic aesthetic. In 2025, Demna took the helm as Creative Director, promising a bold new chapter for the house.
Givenchy
Paris, France
1952
Givenchy is a symbol of aristocratic elegance and modern luxury. Known for dressing Audrey Hepburn, it is now led by Sarah Burton, who joined in 2024.
Alexander McQueen
London, England
1992
Alexander McQueen is a British luxury house defined by its emotional power, raw energy, and unparalleled craftsmanship. It explores the savage beauty of nature and history.
Maison Margiela
Paris, France
1988
Maison Margiela is a French luxury fashion house famously known for its deconstructivist and avant-garde designs. Glenn Martens is the current Creative Director.
Saint Laurent
Paris, France
1961
Saint Laurent, founded by Yves Saint Laurent, is an iconic French fashion house. Anthony Vaccarello currently leads the brand with a sharp, rock-chic aesthetic.
Rick Owens
Los Angeles, USA
1994
Rick Owens is the lord of darkness in luxury fashion. Known for his 'glunge' (glamour + grunge) aesthetic, his brand is a brutalist, architectural monument to the beauty of imperfection.
Enfants Riches Déprimés
Los Angeles, USA
2012
Enfants Riches Déprimés (ERD) is a quasi-anti-fashion label based in Los Angeles and Paris. Founded by Henri Alexander Levy, it fuses 'elitist, nihilist couture' with punk aesthetics.
Yohji Yamamoto
Tokyo, Japan
1972
Yohji Yamamoto is a master tailor known for his avant-garde tailoring featuring Japanese design aesthetics. He is famous for his mastery of the color black.
Prada
Milan, Italy
1913
Prada is the intellectual's luxury brand. Helmed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, it defines the 'ugly chic' aesthetic and sets the global fashion agenda.
Suggested for you
Rick Owens Mission Statement
The Unconventional Soul: Rick Owens' Mission of Transgression and Timelessness
Deep Dive: 'Rats at the Ritz' Photoshoot Breakdown - When Luxury Meets Nihilistic Punk
Explore an in-depth breakdown of the “Rats at the Ritz” photoshoot by Terry Richardson for ERD’s AW25 campaign. Discover the creative vision, technical setup, and cultural impact behind this luxury punk fashion photography at the Ritz Paris. Perfect for photographers, creatives, and style editors seeking expert analysis and actionable insights.
Timeless Elegance: The Evolution of High Fashion
High fashion, rooted in 19th-century Paris, represents the pinnacle of luxury, craftsmanship, and innovation, blending timeless artistry with modern advancements like technology, sustainability, and inclusivity. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to push creative boundaries while staying true to its heritage, making it a lasting symbol of elegance and individuality.
Haute Couture
Haute Couture represents the pinnacle of fashion craftsmanship, where exclusive, custom-made garments are created through meticulous artistry, luxurious materials, and traditional techniques, embodying timeless creativity and innovation in the fashion world.
Designers you might like
Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto
Explore the visionary world of Yohji Yamamoto, the Japanese designer renowned for his avant-garde, deconstructed fashion that challenges traditional norms, emphasizing form, the beauty of imperfection, and a profound use of black inspired by Japanese aesthetics like wabi-sabi.
Cristóbal Balenciaga
Balenciaga
Discover the artistry of Cristóbal Balenciaga, the Spanish couturier hailed as 'the master of us all.' Known for his impeccable craftsmanship and revolutionary silhouettes, he shaped modern fashion.
Martin Margiela
Maison Margiela
Dive into the enigmatic world of Martin Margiela, the visionary behind Maison Margiela. Known for his anonymity and groundbreaking deconstruction, he reshaped the boundaries of contemporary fashion.
Demna
Balenciaga, Vetements
Uncover the innovative vision of Demna Gvasalia, the designer who redefined luxury with streetwear influences at Vetements and Balenciaga, blending avant-garde creativity with cultural relevance.
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Step into the world of Alexander McQueen, the British designer renowned for his dark, dramatic, and boundary-pushing fashion that blends art, history, and emotion into unforgettable creations.
Rei Kawakubo
Comme des Garçons
Explore the avant-garde vision of Rei Kawakubo, the creative force behind Comme des Garçons. Known for redefining fashion with deconstruction, innovation, and radical designs that challenge conventions.
John Galliano
Maison Margiela
Explore the dramatic world of John Galliano, the visionary designer known for his romanticism, theatricality, and transformative impact on Dior and Maison Margiela.
Guccio Gucci
Gucci
Guccio Gucci, the founder of the luxury fashion brand Gucci, laid the foundation for one of the most prestigious names in the fashion world, known for its timeless elegance, craftsmanship, and Italian heritage.
Coco Chanel
Chanel
Discover the legacy of Coco Chanel, the revolutionary designer who redefined women's fashion with timeless elegance, the Little Black Dress, and Chanel No. 5. Explore her journey from humble beginnings to global icon.
Rick Owens
Rick Owens
Step into the world of Rick Owens, the 'Lord of Darkness' in fashion, renowned for his avant-garde designs, architectural silhouettes, and rebellious vision of luxury.
Hussein Chalayan
Chalayan
Explore the innovative world of Hussein Chalayan, a designer celebrated for his fusion of fashion, technology, and conceptual art, redefining the boundaries of modern design.
Hubert de Givenchy
Givenchy
Discover the timeless elegance of Hubert de Givenchy, the French couturier renowned for dressing icons like Audrey Hepburn and creating classic, refined designs that define haute couture.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Gaultier
Step into the bold world of Jean Paul Gaultier, the 'enfant terrible' of fashion, known for his avant-garde designs, gender-defying creations, and pop culture collaborations.
Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Dive into the world of Christian Dior, the visionary couturier who transformed post-war fashion with his 'New Look,' redefining femininity and elegance in the 20th century.
Yves Saint Laurent
Saint Laurent
Explore the groundbreaking legacy of Yves Saint Laurent, the visionary designer who revolutionized fashion with Le Smoking suit, ready-to-wear, and empowering designs for modern women.
Henri Alexander Levy
Enfants Riches Déprimés
Explore the provocative world of Henri Alexander Levy, the visionary artist behind Enfants Riches Déprimés. Known for his 'elitist, nihilist couture,' he blends punk-inspired aesthetics with extreme luxury to challenge the status quo.