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.
Vintage Comme Des Garcons Black Leather Belt SZ 80 NEW WITH TAGS
By Comme des Garçons
Located in New York, NY
Vintage black leather belt with embossed Comme des Garçons logo and triple buckle closure. Must have for every CDG collector. New with tags ...
rare MARTIN MARGIELA ARTISANAL black fabric fringed tassel pom pom belt
By Maison Martin Margiela
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare MARTIN MARGIELA ARTISANAL black fabric fringed tassel pom pom trim self tie belt Reference: TGAS/F01083 Brand: Martin Margiela Designer: Martin Margiela Model: Repurposed Furnit...
Judith Leiber Foo Dog Stone & Gold-Tone Brown Leather Vintage Waist Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Judith Leiber Foo Dog Stone & Gold-Tone Brown Leather Vintage Waist Belt is a striking accessory that combines artistry with luxury. Crafted with high-quality brown leather,...
Gucci Enamel Logo Belt
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Gucci Enamel Logo Belt from the 1970's. Enamel Logo links in black and gold with adjustable links. Can be worn as necklace as well. Signed...
S/S 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford Ad Blue Genuine Snakeskin G Circle Buckle Belt 75/30
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This iconic Gucci belt, designed by Tom Ford, is a standout piece from the Spring/Summer 1996 collection. Featuring a black snakeskin strap and a large round silver 'G' buckle, it ma...
$195
H 1.25 in D 0.5 in L 1.5 in
Christian Dior Vintage Black Enamel and Gold Toned Belt Buckle Circa 1980s
By Christian Dior
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
CHRISTIAN DIOR Vintage Black enamel and Gold Toned Belt Buckle. Authentic luxury vintage DIOR in black enamel on metal gold tone belt buckle. Vintage Dior Gold and Black Belt Buckle ...
Chanel Virginie Viard Métiers d’Art Prefall 2020 chain bow belt leather
By Chanel
Located in CANNES, FR
Chanel X Virginie Viard Métiers d'Art Prefall 2020 Collection "Paris - 31 rue Cambon" Gold-tone metal chain belt interwoven with black lambskin leather, triple-row front held by two...
Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini Gold-Tone Open Zipper Style Black Leather Belt
By Ferragamo
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini Gold-Tone Open Zipper Style Black Leather Belt is a striking piece that blends modern luxury with timeless elegance. Crafted from high-quality black l...
1970s Vintage GUCCI Dolphin GG Calfskin Leather Belt Black 60/24
By Gucci
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage GUCCI belt is crafted of smooth calfskin leather in black featuring a massive gold toned intertwined GG dolphin buckle. Size 60/24 Made in Italy. Total length including ...
Finesse La Model Stone & Crystal Fish Motif Black Leather Vintage Waist Belt
By Finesse La Model
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Finesse La Model Stone & Crystal Fish Motif Black Leather Vintage Waist Belt is a striking accessory that combines craftsmanship with unique design. Crafted from high-quality black leather, it features an intricate fish motif adorned with sparkling stones and crystals, adding a touch of vintage elegance and opulence. Its versatile style makes it suitable for elevating a variety of high-end looks; for example, it pairs beautifully with designer pieces such as a Chanel tweed blazer, a Balmain structured blazer, or a Givenchy leather jacket...
Salvatore Ferragamo Black Patent Leather Bow Style Belt
By Salvatore Ferragamo
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Salvatore Ferragamo Black Patent Leather Bow Style Belt is a chic and sophisticated accessory that effortlessly elevates any outfit. Featuring a stunning bow-shaped buckle adorne...
1970s Natural Brown Agate Beaded Detail Leather Belt
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Experience the charm of the 1970s with this stunning Natural Brown Agate Beaded Detail Leather Belt. Featuring a large, eye-catching agate stone buckle surrounded by intricate small ...
Vintage Braided Black Leather Waist Belt With Beaded Detailing
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate your wardrobe with this exquisite Vintage Braided Black Leather Waist Belt adorned with captivating beaded detailing. This statement piece is crafted from black leather that ...
runway COMME DES GARCONS 2010 red leather 3D angular cut waist belt
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
runway COMME DES GARCONS 2010 red leather 3D angular cut waist belt Reference: TGAS/B02098 Brand: Comme des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo C...
COMME des GARCONS Size 32 Black Suede Large Silver Tone Buckle Belt
By Comme des Garçons
Located in San Francisco, CA
COMME des GARCONS Belt comes in a black tone in a solid pigskin suede material, with a large rectangular silver tone buckle. Made in Japan. Ex...
Comme des Garcons vintage signed large black belt collectors item
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage Comme des Garcons black leather belt. Singed size 80 Total length 38inch/87cm - Wide 4inch/10cm Excllent condition