COLLECTING COMME – A new exhibition dedicated to Comme des Garcons.
The work of visionary Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo reflects so much more than a unique design aesthetic or a desire to sell wearable art, it’s also about a state of mind. Comme des Garcons or like boys is a brand that empowers individuality and is not bound by the standard interpretation of gender. Kawakubo’s intensely philosophical approach to design is dictated more by how the wearer feels than visual appraisal alone. This empire building strategy has given rise to many radical ideas over time setting her apart from her contemporaries. One such example was the removal of mirrors from change rooms in her Paris salon so customers would purchase based on feeling, not just appearance.
Headquartered in Tokyo, the brand shows in Paris where they first presented in 1981, a time when ready-to-wear fashion looks were heavily dominated by inappropriate shoulders and metallic leather. Kawakubo’s first collection was met with mixed reviews which only served to embed her reputation as a spirited disrupter. Her avant-garde style is recognised for the use of experimental construction techniques, unorthodox silhouette and deconstructed detailing. This ingenious creative direction ensures that product is not caught up in the endless cycle of trend consumption but instead revered for its timeless qualities and as such, has inspired an implacable cult following.
One of these enduring devotees is Takamasa Takahashi who started collecting pieces in 1986 and has since built up an enviable collection. This now forms part of a new exhibition at NGV International appropriately named Collecting Comme which is on display from 31 October 2019 to 26 July 2020.
Showcasing more than 65 outfits this masterfully curated exhibition captures the journey of Comme des Garcon from key ranges spanning over three decades from 1981 to 2014.
Contributor – Roger Grinstead https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/collecting-comme/
