Comme Des Garcons bias cut satin jersey dress, ss 1986
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (NA)
- Style:1920's Madeleine Vionet (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Melbourne, AU
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3625219593912
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: Melbourne, Australia
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood cotton toweling 'Witches' dress, fw 1983By Worlds End, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLarenLocated in Melbourne, AUA World's End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren "Witches" dress, Fall-Winter 1983. This rare and important dress features experimental construction that creates an incomparabl...Category
1980s English Day Dresses
- Thierry Mugler monogram denim jacket, c. 1998By Thierry MuglerLocated in Melbourne, AUA Thierry Mugler Monogrammed Denim Jacket, circa 1998. This garment is one of very few pieces that feature the Thierry Mugler monogram. Additional to the monogram, another iconic des...Category
1990s Jackets
- Christian Dior by John Galliano navy silk brocade & lace skirt, fw 1997By John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Melbourne, AUA Christian Dior by John Galliano ‘’Dior’s Little Sweetheart Pin-Ups” navy skirt, fall-winter 1997. Crafted from a luxurious silk brocade, this skirt is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the Christian Dior atelier. Black floral lace vents are nestled beneath the skirt's pleats, revealing their intricacy as the garment...Category
1990s French Flare Skirts
- Dolce & Gabbana black lace up top, fw 2003By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Melbourne, AUA Dolce & Gabbana lace-up long sleeve top, Fall-Winter 2003. This garment subverts edgy and gothic details to create a stylistic and glamorous garment. Crafted from the finest matte ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- John Galliano black rose jacket, fw 1987By John GallianoLocated in Melbourne, AUThis John Galliano single-breasted loose jacket from Fall-Winter 1987 ‘The Rose Collection’ is an important example of the designers craftsmanship and design. Made from black wool ...Category
1980s British Single-Breasted Jackets
- John Galliano 'Fallen Angels' grey pinstripe vest, ss 1986By John GallianoLocated in Melbourne, AUA John Galliano pinstripe vest, spring-summer 1986 'Fallen Angels'. This incredibly rare and early garment is from Galliano's second runway show—his fourth collection. Featuring a rounded collar and mini lapel, the standout feature of this vest is the trio of swirling 'Fimo' plasticene buttons crafted by artist Dave Baby. Reflecting Galliano's student work experience with Savile Row tailor Tommy Nutter...Category
1980s English Vests
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Cutout Sheer Mesh Bodycon Black Maxi DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Cutout Sheer Mesh Bodycon Black Maxi Dress Size XS/M Please note size tag has been removed, due to stretch in the mesh material this dress will fi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- 1980s Escada Green Pink Blue & Orange Plaid 2 pc Dress w/ Skirt & Linen TopBy EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful ensemble from the 1980's designed by Margaretha Ley for Escada. The outfit has a pleated midi length skirt that buttons down the front. It is made of linen in an ...Category
1980s German Day Dresses
- 1970s Clovis Ruffin Black Keyhole DressBy Clovis Ruffin RuffinwearLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970s Clovis Ruffin "Ruffinwear" polyester black jersey dress with keyhole tie at neckline. The dress has a gathered neckline with cape style short sleeves and a tie at the top of th...Category
1970s American Casual Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford G Buckle Purple Knit Sleeveless Cutout DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting two-in-one, this dress can be worn with either an exposed back or a plunging neckline. Sexy and versatile, this dress represents one of Tom Ford's most popular and iconic ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Leather Strap Black Knit Runway DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a form-fitting knit Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. This dress debuted on the Spring/Summer 1998 runway as look 5. Constructed of black knit viscose, this long sleeve d...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Knit Hook Closure Runway Black Knit Dress SetBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a slinky hook and eye closure accented sweater dress set designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 2002 collection. This set debuted as look number 23 on Erin Wasson on the Spring/Summer 2002 runway and was seen on Debra Messing at the 2002 Screen Actor's Guild Awards and in the March 2002 issue of L'Uomo Vogue...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses