Comme des Garçons, a brand that has become synonymous with avant-garde fashion, has a remarkable ability to challenge traditional concepts of clothing. Founded by designer Rei Kawakubo in 1969, the brand has commes des garcons consistently pushed boundaries, refusing to adhere to the rigid structures of the fashion industry. What makes Comme des Garçons particularly unique is its seamless blending of art and fashion, two realms that are often considered separate entities. This fusion not only redefines the concept of clothing but also alters the way we perceive the relationship between fashion and art. In this blog, we explore how Comme des Garçons blurs the line between these two creative worlds.
A Visionary Approach to Fashion Design
Rei Kawakubo’s approach to design has always been unconventional. Unlike traditional fashion designers, who typically focus on wearable, mass-market clothing, Kawakubo’s work is often described as conceptual art. She views fashion as an art form and believes in expressing ideas, emotions, and narratives through her collections. With no formal training in fashion design, Kawakubo has been able to bypass established norms and embrace a more artistic, experimental approach to her collections. From the outset, her pieces were designed to challenge conventional beauty standards and norms in the fashion industry, offering a radical departure from traditional clothing.
Comme des Garçons’ designs are characterized by their asymmetry, deconstructed forms, and unconventional materials. The clothing often appears more sculptural than wearable, with garments that seem to have no clear front or back. The brand’s use of unusual fabrics, such as distressed denim, rubber, and plastic, adds to the sense of experimentation and artful abstraction in its collections. These designs are not simply about creating clothes but about expressing a deeper philosophical and emotional intent. Kawakubo has said that her designs are meant to make people think, challenge their perceptions, and push them to reconsider how they view clothing.
Fashion as an Art Installation
In many ways, Comme des Garçons’ runway shows are akin to art installations rather than traditional fashion presentations. The runway becomes a space for the exploration of ideas and concepts, where models are transformed into living canvases. The show itself is a platform for artistic expression, with the clothing functioning as a medium to communicate complex messages. This approach is evident in some of the brand’s most iconic collections, such as the spring/summer 1997 collection, which featured models with large, exaggerated silhouettes. These garments, which looked almost like abstract sculptures, forced the audience to reconsider the idea of beauty, balance, and proportion.
Kawakubo’s shows often provoke thought and discussion, much like contemporary art exhibitions. Rather than simply showcasing garments for purchase, Comme des Garçons uses the runway to convey philosophical themes and personal reflections. In her 2017 collection, for example, Kawakubo explored the concept of individuality versus uniformity, with models wearing identical, monochrome ensembles. This minimalist approach to fashion challenged the audience to think about how fashion can express identity in a way that is both personal and collective.
Artistic Collaborations
Comme des Garçons has long embraced collaborations with artists, which further blurs the lines between fashion and art. The brand’s partnerships with visual artists, musicians, and other creatives have resulted in unique, limited-edition collections that merge art with fashion. For instance, the collaboration with British artist and musician David Bowie led to the creation of a special collection that incorporated his iconic style and music. Similarly, Kawakubo’s work with the likes of painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, photographer Nick Knight, and graphic designer Peter Saville has helped elevate Comme des Garçons to the status of a cultural phenomenon.
These collaborations serve as a testament to the brand’s belief in the power of creative exchange. By working with artists from different disciplines, Comme des Garçons continues to foster an environment where art and fashion are not seen as separate entities but as interconnected mediums for self-expression and cultural commentary.
The Role of Fashion in the Art World
One of the most interesting aspects of Comme des Garçons is the way it has been embraced by the art world. The brand has long been featured in art galleries and museums, with exhibitions dedicated to its groundbreaking work. In 2017, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York hosted an exhibition titled “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between,” which explored the designer’s approach to fashion as a form of art. The exhibition showcased some of the brand’s most iconic pieces, which were presented as works of art rather than mere garments. This blurring of the boundaries between fashion and art was a significant moment in the recognition of fashion as a legitimate artistic medium.
Kawakubo’s work challenges the conventional definitions of fashion and art, encouraging a reevaluation of how we perceive both disciplines. Her designs ask us to question the purpose of clothing—is it merely functional, or is it an extension of our identity, a medium for artistic expression? The fact that Comme des Garçons is regularly featured in prestigious Comme Des Garcons Converse art museums underscores the growing recognition of fashion as a form of visual and conceptual art.
Conclusion
Comme des Garçons has demonstrated that fashion is much more than just a commercial industry—it is a form of art that can challenge norms, provoke thought, and express profound ideas. By blending art and fashion, the brand has elevated clothing into an artistic statement, breaking down the walls between the two creative worlds. Rei Kawakubo’s visionary approach to design, her experimental use of materials, and her ability to turn runway shows into art installations have all contributed to the brand’s status as a trailblazer in the fashion world. Comme des Garçons continues to inspire designers and artists alike, proving that fashion is not just about what we wear—it’s about what we want to say to the world
