With the constantly changing fashion industry, few brands have been able to cut across generations. An example of these names is Comme des Garçons, the Japanese avant-garde company, which was established by Rei Kawakubo in 1969. Comme des Garcons has been known to break down its silhouettes, conceptual ideas, and to be uninhibited in creativity, and is still daring the conservative aspects of beauty and design. Nowadays, it is one of the inspirations of novice designers all over the world.
These are 10 reasons why Comme des Garçons is still inspirational to a new generation of fashion designers.
1. The Revolutionary Vision of Rei Kawakubo.
The radical philosophy of Comme des Garçons is that fashion must be able to provoke emotion, not merely be pleasing to the eye. Her style breaks down traditional gender, symmetry, and beauty. To young designers who want authenticity, the fact that Kawakubo flouts fashion conventions in the daring, bold manner that she does is a reminder that the only way to be innovative is to break the rules.
2. The Art of Deconstruction
The deconstructed look was a fashion that Comme des Garçons was the first to popularize way before it became a fad. Cut-up edges, unbalanced cuts, and unfinished hems narrate a story of imperfection and liberation. This attitude is admired by new designers, since it does not focus on perfection but uses creativity, which encourages them to make such garments that are expressive and not conformist.
3. Gender Fluidity and Inclusivity.
The Comme des Garcans in the early 80s defied the difference between masculine and feminine fashion, way before the gender-neutral buzzword. The oversized silhouettes and non-binary style adopted by the brand changed the way in which clothing can be used to state identity. Inclusivity and self-expression are values that contemporary young designers are passionate about, and this philosophy grants them the validation and the courage to act.
4. Taking Fashion way past Aesthetics.
To Kawakubo, fashion goes beyond clothing art, it is a language. Each of the collections is a narrative or a protest against the norms of society. This theoretical idea remains in the mind of contemporary designers to add an individual meaning and a story behind the piece. Comme des Garçons serves as a reminder to them that fashion could be an avenue of ideas and not necessarily of commercial success.
5. The Power of Collaboration
Comme des Garçons has partnered with some of the largest brands in the world, Nike and Converse to Louis Vuitton and Supreme. Through these collaborations, high fashion and street wear are merged, and this proves that creative quality and marketability can co-exist. These collaborations are the inspiration of new designers who believe that artistry can succeed even on the mass markets.
6. There is also a Culture of Experimentation.
The DNA of the brand is experimentation. Comme des Garçons prefers to break the rules continuously, be it in terms of unusual materials, abstract shapes or provocative runways. This boldness in pursuing experiments inspires the generation to have the courage to experiment, challenge the nor,m and innovate without fear of failure.
7. The Effect of Comme des Garçons Homme and PLAY Lines.
Although the primary CDG Hoodie brand is associated with avant-garde design, sub-brands such as Comme des Garçons Homme and Comme des Garçons PLAY can be seen to be versatile. The heart-with-eyes logo, the work of Filip Pagowski, has already become the world-recognized sign of luxury in informality. These assortments prove that the idea of artistic vision and wearability can strike a balance, and young designers can delve into the artistic and commercial sides of the fashion industry.
8. Motivating a World Nation.
Comme des Garçons has established a global fraternity of designers and followers. The brand is also experienced not just in clothing but in architecture, fragrance, and installations in its expansion in Paris to Tokyo and New York. It is a multidisciplinary strategy that can be applied to inspire more designers to look beyond clothes – to consider fashion as a component of a larger creative ecosystem.
9. Dedication to Realness rather than Fashion.
In a trendy industry, Comme des Garçons is different. The collections of the brand tend to go against seasonal fashion and the general fashion mainstream. The spirit of authenticity that Kawakubo upheld teaches upcoming designers to be able to stick to their artistic vision rather than go for popularity. True to herself, she is authentic and timelessly influential.
10. A Past Which Forms Future Perspectives.
The influence of Comme des Garçons can be observed in the creations of many upcoming designers – Craig Green and Marine Serre can be mentioned, as well as the followers of Yohji Yamamoto. Each is inspired by the boldness of Kawakubo to be creative and her nonconformity. The legacy of the brand serves as a guideline and a challenge: to think big and make the world of fashion different.