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Suit

1996 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Comme des Garçons, French for 'like boys', is a Japanese fashion label headed by Rei Kawakubo, who is also its sole owner. The label was founded by Kawakubo in Tokyo in 1969 and established as a company in Japan in 1973, becoming successful there through the 1970s. Kawakubo's early collections, like Issey Miyake's, incorporated elements of traditional Japanese work-wear. Later collections were more radical and Comme des Garçons's 1981 debut show in Paris created a storm of controversy for its predominate use of black and distressed garment surfaces. Throughout the 1980s, Comme des Garçons's clothes were frequently monochromatic, asymmetrical and draped over the body, often featuring tears, holes and frayed edges.

This ensemble takes a new risk characteristic of Kawakubo's style by combining the traditional men's suit with an unlikely material. The neon yellow polyurethane reflective strips running up the side of each leg challenge the suit's conventional tailoring of the outfit for a look that is both classic and daring.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Coat
  • Trousers
Brief description
Suit, black wool trousers and coat, Comme des Garçons, designed in France, made in Japan, 1996.
Credit line
Given by Mark Reed
Summary
Comme des Garçons, French for 'like boys', is a Japanese fashion label headed by Rei Kawakubo, who is also its sole owner. The label was founded by Kawakubo in Tokyo in 1969 and established as a company in Japan in 1973, becoming successful there through the 1970s. Kawakubo's early collections, like Issey Miyake's, incorporated elements of traditional Japanese work-wear. Later collections were more radical and Comme des Garçons's 1981 debut show in Paris created a storm of controversy for its predominate use of black and distressed garment surfaces. Throughout the 1980s, Comme des Garçons's clothes were frequently monochromatic, asymmetrical and draped over the body, often featuring tears, holes and frayed edges.

This ensemble takes a new risk characteristic of Kawakubo's style by combining the traditional men's suit with an unlikely material. The neon yellow polyurethane reflective strips running up the side of each leg challenge the suit's conventional tailoring of the outfit for a look that is both classic and daring.
Collection
Accession number
T.8:1, 2-2011

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2011
Record URL
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