Rei Kawakubo
Rei Kawakubo
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Rei Kawakubo is the founder and creative director of the Japanese fashion brand Comme des Garçons.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on October 11, 1947, in Tokyo, Japan. Still active in her career as of my knowledge cutoff.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Japanese Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur
Early Life and Background
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Rei Kawakubo was born into a traditional Japanese family in post-war Tokyo. Her early life was marked by strict social conventions, which she would later challenge with her unorthodox approach to fashion. Kawakubo's father, who owned a textile business, introduced her to the world of fabrics and design at a young age.
Growing up, Kawakubo was fascinated by Western art and culture, particularly the works of Marcel Duchamp and the Surrealist movement. These influences would later shape her unique aesthetic and approach to fashion. After completing high school, Kawakubo attended Keio University in Tokyo, where she studied French literature.
Major Accomplishments
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Kawakubo's impact on the fashion world is undeniable. Her groundbreaking designs have been showcased in over 500 runway shows since Comme des Garçons' debut in 1969. Some of her most notable accomplishments include:
Pioneering the concept of "anti-fashion" or "anti-style," which emphasizes experimentation and nonconformity over traditional notions of beauty and taste.
Introducing innovative textile techniques, such as layered fabrics and deconstructed garments, which have influenced generations of designers.
Collaborating with artists, musicians, and other creatives to push the boundaries of fashion and art.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Kawakubo's most iconic works include:
The Comme des Garçons "Dada" collection (1997), which featured garments with torn, distorted, and reassembled silhouettes.
The "S/S 2011" collection, which showcased garments made from discarded plastic bags and other unconventional materials.
Her collaborations with artists like Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, and Matthew Barney.
Impact and Legacy
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Rei Kawakubo's influence on fashion is immeasurable. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Culture (2009) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (2012).
Kawakubo's designs have also had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring countless artists, musicians, and other creatives. Her commitment to experimentation and innovation has paved the way for future generations of designers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Rei Kawakubo is widely quoted and remembered for her provocative statements on fashion, art, and culture. Some notable quotes include:
"I don't think about fashion as being a part of daily life... I think it's more like an extension of the human body." (Source: interview with The New York Times)
"My clothes are not just for wearing, they're also for thinking." (Source: interview with Vogue)
Kawakubo's unapologetic approach to fashion and her willingness to challenge conventional norms have made her a legendary figure in the industry. Her quotes continue to inspire and provoke designers, artists, and anyone interested in pushing the boundaries of creativity.
As a testament to her enduring influence, Kawakubo remains one of the most respected and celebrated figures in fashion today.
Quotes by Rei Kawakubo
I don't like to use expensive materials. I take care to make costs reasonable. It's very similar to the way I make clothes.
The place I am always looking for - because in order to keep the business, I need to make a little compromise between my values and customers' values - is the place where I make something that could almost - but not quite - be understood by everyone.
Although I do not believe in fame, what it brings me is the fact that I can ask someone to work with me, and they do not say no.
In order to be stimulated or moved in the future, we probably have to go into space and look at our world from there.
Fashion alone is so far from being the whole story. It seems that with fashion, as with art, things are getting easier in one sense, but at the same time, it is getting harder to be stimulated about things or excite people.
All kinds of ways of expression are spreading out all over the place, information is overflowing, and it's harder and harder to be excited about anything.
The main pillar of my activity is making clothes, but this can never be the perfect and only vehicle of expression.
In response to the making of DSMNY, a change in the Chelsea store became necessary. My flagship stores always have to lead the way.
According to research,when given a choice, babies choose gold. It's my favourite colour after black and red.