Comme des Garcons deconstructed wool and chiffon dress, fw 1997
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14022168693
Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons is one of the world’s most innovative and trailblazing fashion brands, helmed by its inimitable founder, Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo (b. 1942), who has a penchant for breaking fashion and cultural norms. The only living designer apart from Yves Saint Laurent to have a retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, Kawakubo has permanently changed fashion with designs that challenge traditional ideas of beauty with a creative and transgressive exuberance.
After studying art and literature at Keio University in Tokyo, Kawakubo worked as a freelance stylist before establishing her own label in 1969. Comme des Garçons — which is also known as CDG — officially launched in 1973, and Kawakubo opened her first store in Tokyo three years later. She has since been instrumental in pioneering many concepts now familiar in contemporary fashion.
One of Kawakubo's most iconic moves was her introduction of androgynous styles (Comme des Garçons means “like the boys” in French) with asymmetrical, twisted silhouettes that envelope the body. While she told the New York Times that the “basics of clothing lie in men’s fashion,” Kawakubo believes in the concept of humanness in clothes (she titled her spring 1995 show “Transcending Gender”).
In the 1970s, when color-blocking was the norm, Kawakubo stuck to her monochromatic color palette dominated by shades of black with uncompromising dedication, although with evocative and powerful use of red and white.
Comme des Garçons is also known for an often shocking take on fashion. Deconstructed tailoring, violently slashed fabric and sculptural shapes are some themes that run through the brand’s collections, but Kawakubo never explains the meaning of her conceptual pieces, which fall somewhere between art and fashion.
Designer Junya Watanabe, who worked alongside Kawakubo for nearly a decade, operates an atelier based within the Tokyo headquarters of Comme des Garçons, and he established a line under Kawakubo's label in the early 1990s. Since then, even though the brand has launched additional lines and more commercial offshoots like PLAY, known by the iconic heart motif with eyes, the premier men’s line Homme Plus and the multilabel Dover Street Market that opened in 2004, the essence of Comme des Garçons remains Kawakubo’s otherworldly and undefinable creations, which are impossible to ignore.
Find vintage Comme des Garçons shirts, jackets, day dresses and other clothing on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gianni Versace black evening dress with leather strap ss 2001By Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBOne-shoulder black dress with leather strap and gathers at strap on front and back. Spring-summer 2001Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood black velvet glitter figure hugging maxi dress, fw 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black velvet glitter figure hugging maxi dress Always on Camera, Fall-Winter 1991Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia black acetate knit figure hugging evening dress, A/W 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB- Metal zip closure at the back - Figure hugging fit - Turtle neck Autumn-Winter 1986Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Celine black viscose a-line dress with metal halter-neck, ss 2008By CelineLocated in London, GB▪ Celine black a-line dress ▪ 100% Viscose ▪ Silver metal halter-neck ▪ Pleated bust ▪ Built-in corset ▪ FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Spring-Summer 2008Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood metallic black nylon jersey draped evening dress, fw 1997By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood metallic black nylon jersey evening dress ▪ Draped skirt with high leg slit ▪ Fitted bodice ▪ Draped panels at the bus...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dressLocated in Milano, IT1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dress with wide shawl neckline and low cut back. Rounded high slit in front with fitted long sleeves. Evening dress Size: M Waist: 88 cm Length: 14...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford FW-02 Silk Flared Hem Dress - Velvet RibbonBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEFlirtation and eroticism were on American designer Tom Ford’s mind for his Fall/Winter 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche collection. Using stereotypical women’s fabrics for appropr...Category
Early 2000s French Sheath Dresses
- Moschino Silk Contoured Hoop-Skirt GownBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis gown will pull you in and intrigue you with all the curves and volume. This Moschino design is genius as the skirt has varying sizes of circular boning to fit to your own body's curves giving you a hyper-feminized silhouette. Featuring a full-length to add to the drama and a simple black color-way and tank-top style to let the bottom detail steal the show. The fabric is 100% silk. Make sure to pair this dress with dramatic earrings...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Givenchy Black Cotton Eye Embroidered Cold Shoulder Shift Dress MBy GivenchyLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Make a classy fashion statement as you wear this shift dress from the House of Givenchy. Tailored using black cotton fabric, the back of this dress is embellished with multicolored e...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Balenciaga Back Silk Knit Low Back Long Sleeve Dress SBy BalenciagaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2With this dress from the House of Balenciaga, comfort and elegance come easy! It is fashioned in black silk knit fabric and flaunts a low-cut backline, long sleeves, and embellishmen...Category
2010s European Evening Dresses and Gowns
- M Missoni Multicolor printed Silk Sleeveless Shift Dress LBy M MissoniLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The fine artistry and the feminine silhouette of this designer dress exhibit the label's impeccable craftsmanship in tailoring. It is stitched using quality materials, has a good fit...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Comme des Garçons Runway Gown Features the Work of 10 Artists
The standout look, from a collection that left fashion critics breathless, has us mesmerized.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.