How Did Comme des Garçons Change Fashion

Comme des Garçons is a fashion brand that started in Tokyo in the early 1970s. The brand was created by Rei Kawakubo, a Japanese designer with a bold and creative vision. She wanted to make clothes that looked different from what people usually wore. Her early designs were black, oversized, and had shapes that surprised many people. These clothes did not follow the rules of beauty or traditional style. Many people in Japan were shocked by her work, but they were also curious. Slowly, people started to see that fashion could be more than just looking nice.Kawakubo’s early work showed that fashion could express deep ideas and emotions. Instead of focusing on trends, she focused on concepts and messages. She challenged what it meant to look good, and asked people to think differently. Her work opened doors for many new designers who wanted to break away from the usual.

Breaking The Fashion Traditions

Comme des Garçons became famous https://commesdegarcons.com/ in Paris during the 1980s, where it shocked many people. When Rei Kawakubo presented her first Paris collection, many critics did not understand it. The clothes were black, torn, uneven, and had strange shapes and cuts. They called the look "Hiroshima chic" and said it was ugly and disturbing. But these comments did not stop Kawakubo from continuing her unique path.She believed that fashion should not always be about beauty or perfection. Her work asked questions like: What is beauty? Who decides what is beautiful? These questions challenged the fashion world. Slowly, more people began to admire her courage and creativity. Comme des Garçons pushed fashion into new territory where emotion, thought, and concept became more important than style. This helped fashion grow into something deeper and more meaningful.

Giving Power To Imperfection

One of the biggest changes Comme des Garçons brought was the idea of imperfection in fashion. Before this, most people believed that clothes should fit well and look perfect. Designers often focused on making people look attractive and stylish. But Rei Kawakubo wanted to show that beauty can exist in things that are broken or unfinished.She made clothes with holes, uneven hems, or strange fabrics that felt rough and raw. Some clothes were made to look old, worn out, or torn. This made many people feel confused at first, but it also made them curious. Slowly, people began to understand that imperfection can have meaning and emotion.This idea changed how people thought about fashion and design. It allowed more freedom and creativity in how clothes were made. It gave people permission to dress in ways that felt true to them, not just what was expected.

Creating Art Through Clothing

Comme des Garçons is not just a fashion brand, it is also a form of art. Rei Kawakubo once said that she is not just a designer but also an artist. Many of her collections look like sculptures or paintings. She uses fabric to build new shapes that have never been seen before. Some pieces are big and round, while others twist and bend in unusual ways.These designs do not always look like normal clothes, and sometimes people cannot wear them in everyday life. But they still send a message and make people feel something. Her work is often shown in art museums and galleries around the world. This helped fashion become more accepted as a type of art, not just business or trend.Through her shows and collections, Kawakubo tells stories about life, death, love, sadness, and even war. Her runway shows feel like performances that make people think and feel deeply. She made fashion more than something you wear. She made it a way to speak without words.

Leading Without Following Trends

Comme des Garçons is known for not following trends, but instead creating its own direction. In a world where fashion changes every season, this brand stays true to its own voice. Rei Kawakubo does not care about what is popular or what sells the most. She does not design to please everyone. She creates what she believes in, even if it is not accepted right away.This attitude inspired many young designers to trust their own ideas. It showed that success can come from being original and brave. By doing this, Comme des Garçons became a leader instead of a follower. People started looking to the brand for new ideas, instead of waiting for popular fashion trends.This helped change how the fashion industry worked. More designers began to take risks and express themselves in their own way. It also taught consumers to explore more than just the latest style. Fashion became something personal and meaningful, instead of something you copy from others.

Collaborations With Deep Meaning

Comme des Garçons also changed fashion through creative and unexpected collaborations. The brand worked with many other companies, artists, and designers in new ways. Some of the most famous collaborations were with Nike, Converse, and Supreme. These projects brought together high fashion and streetwear in a way that had not been done before.But these were not just for marketing or profit. Each collaboration had a purpose and a story behind it. Rei Kawakubo used these partnerships to bring her ideas to more people in new ways. She showed that two different worlds can come together and make something powerful.These collaborations helped other brands think differently about partnerships. They began to focus more on meaning, not just money. Comme des Garçons helped set the standard for how brands work together today. They proved that collaborations can be creative, respectful, and full of purpose.

Leaving A Strong Cultural Impact

Comme des Garçons has had a strong impact not only on fashion but on culture itself. The brand influenced music, art, photography, and even philosophy. Musicians, artists, and filmmakers often wear or talk about the brand. It became a symbol of thinking differently and breaking rules.Many people who wear Comme des Garçons feel like they are part of a movement. They feel proud to support a brand that values creativity, freedom, and thought. The brand's logo, especially the heart with eyes designed by Filip Pagowski, became iconic. It represents more than fashion—it represents an idea.The brand continues to grow without changing its true self. It remains honest and bold, never trying to fit in. This is why Comme des Garçons continues to inspire both old fans and new generations.