Comme des Garçons lurex voile lace wrap dress and skirt set, fw 1999
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (JP)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140216151042
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.
- Issey Miyake multicoloured mesh and lycra skirt and top set, ss 2002By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GB▪ Issey Miyake multicoloured mesh and lycra skirt and top set ▪ Vest with ruched back and bust panels ▪ Mid-length skirt with ruched seams and handkerchief hemline ▪ JP 3 / EU + US M...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPaul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia leopard wool dress, cardigan, skirt and leggings set, fw 1991By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia leopard wool four-piece set ▪ Long sleeve fitted knee-length dress ▪ Oversized button-up cardigan ▪ High-waisted leggings ▪ High-waisted fitted knee-length pencil ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior by John Galliano purple tie-dye silk top and skirt set, ss 2001By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior silk top and skirt set ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Purple and orange tie-dyed silk chiffon ▪ Snakeskin print calfskin leath...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier metallic gold sequin t-shirt and leggings set, ss 1991By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier evening t-shirt and leggings set ▪ Gold metallic sequins printed with floral motifs ▪ Knitted band trim in red, orange and blue ▪ Fitted to the body ▪ IT 42 - F...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood x Malcolm McLaren x Keith Haring 'Witches' skirt suit, fw 1983By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren in collaboration with Keith Haring ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Constructed from knit jersey in neon pink and dark grey ▪ ...Category
1980s English Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Whims of California Two Piece Pants & Maxi Vest Dress, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAThis two piece pants and maxi vest by Whims of California has all the bells and whistles for chic 1960's party attire. The 100% cotton construction has the appearance of painted or ...Category
1960s American Trouser Pant Suits
- A French Blouse and Pleated Skirt By Cacharel (Attributed to) Circa 1980By CacharelLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1980 France Pleated skirt and blouse in brown polyester with black plaid, pink and white stripes and iridescent brown cubes dating from th...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Neil Bieff Arturo Herrera Silk Skirt and Top Set 1970sBy Neil BieffLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous 2 piece tan silk top and skirt set from designer Neil Bieff. It is adorned with an abstract pattern of sequins and glass beads created by world renowned artist Arturo Her...Category
1970s Indian Day Dresses
- Incredible 1950s French Lace Bombshell Chantilly Lace Wiggle Dress + CapeLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage 1950s Demi Couture French Lace dress and caplet! Wonderful beige/nude/brown color lace, with matching caplet. Impeccable construction...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1960s Cream and Gold Brocade Coat and Gown Set with Beaded DetailLocated in San Francisco, CAStunning vintage 1960s sleeveless fluted gown and coat set set in cream and pale gold brocade. Gown has a beautiful fit and flare shape with a deep scoop back and beading at neck. Li...Category
1960s Unknown Dress and Coat Ensembles
- A Chinese Silk Damask Dramatic Set Circa 1960Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1960/1980 France Astonishing chinese dramatic set in damask satin consisting of a short kimono and a sirwal pants from the second half of the 20th century. A fine silk damask ...Category
1960s Chinese Chinese Dresses
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.