Rei Kawakubo

Rei Kawakubo

Fashion Designer and Founder of COMME des GARÇONS

Profile

Industries
Founded October 11, 1942
Headquarters Tokyo, Japan

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Description

Rei Kawakubo is a Japanese designer and founder of COMME des GARÇONS. Having studied literature in at Keio University, Kawakubo worked at a textiles factory after graduating, and by 1967 she had become a freelance stylist. Two years later, Kawakubo began designing clothes under the name “comme des garcons.” Due to the popularity of the clothes in Japan, Kawakubo incorporated the brand and COMME des GARÇONS was born. Throughout the ‘70s, Kawakubo would refine her aesthetic and grow her company, before eventually debuting her designs at 1981 Paris Fashion Week. In 2003, Kawakubo married Adrian Joffe, at the time, the commercial director for CDG. Eventually he became the president of the company and worked on international expansion, helping the company turn over $220 million USD a year. In addition to the design and creation aspects of the label, Kawakubo oversees all aspects of her company including graphic design, advertising and shop interiors. Kawakubo is notoriously press-shy, wishing for her creations to speak for themselves. However, Kawakubo’s anti-fashion and boundary-defying designs have inspired many newer designers, such as Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester. Kawakubo also served as mentor to Junya Watanabe, whose eponymous line is produced under COMME des GARÇONS.
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Latest Collections

COMME des GARÇONS Reissues Rare Rei Kawakubo-Designed Chairs
Design

COMME des GARÇONS Reissues Rare Rei Kawakubo-Designed Chairs

Originally designed for the Paris boutique in 1983, the design reflects the founder’s minimal, brutalist sensibilities.

Dover Street Market Paris Announces Official Opening Date
Fashion

Dover Street Market Paris Announces Official Opening Date

Coming later this month, have a look inside the store in the meantime.

Rei Kawakubo Invites Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY for a Special Range
Fashion

Rei Kawakubo Invites Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY for a Special Range

Celebrating the renewal opening of Trading Museum CdG and the launch of DSM Paris.

COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS FW24 Is Symbolic of a Spiritual World
Fashion

COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS FW24 Is Symbolic of a Spiritual World

Unveiling a Nike Air Max TL2.5 collaboration.

COMME des GARÇONS SS24 Brightens Everything In Sight
Fashion

COMME des GARÇONS SS24 Brightens Everything In Sight

Rei Kawakubo presented 19 looks packed with color, featuring puffed and bulbous designs that speak for themselves.

'Switch' Magazine to Launch the COMME des GARÇONS 50th Anniversary Special Edition Issue
Fashion

'Switch' Magazine to Launch the COMME des GARÇONS 50th Anniversary Special Edition Issue

Featuring a white cover version and a limited-edition black cover.

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