From the prismatic Pleats Please collection to the modular, three-dimensional garments crafted from recycled plastic bottles in his Reality Lab, the captivating fashions by Japanese designer Issey Miyake are all about movement.
Born in Hiroshima, Miyake studied graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo before relocating to Paris in 1965, where he studied couture and cut his teeth working for Guy Laroche and Hubert de Givenchy. In 1969, he moved to New York, where he worked for Geoffrey Beene. He returned to Tokyo in 1970 to found his first solo venture, the Miyake Design Studio. It wasn’t until the 1990s, though, that the designer had his breakthrough moment with experimentations in pleating. Some of his earliest explorations were for choreographer William Forsythe’s Frankfurt Ballet Company, with the 1991 performance of The Loss of Small Detail featuring costumes Miyake designed with pleats that complemented and transformed the movement of the dancers.
Though long a staple in couture — from delicate women’s skirts to men’s suit pants — pleats took on new life in Miyake’s hands. By using a heat press to cure his fabrics after his garments are stitched, Miyake was able to maintain the accordion structure of the pleat, turning a series of folds into sculptural, often futuristic forms unbound by the shape of the human body. In 1993, Miyake debuted “garment pleating” in his Pleats Please line, in which the clothes are constructed at a size that is larger than what is intended for the finished product. The pleats are then created — a process that involves folding and ironing and is separate from the joining of seams — and individual pieces are subsequently hand-fed into a heat press. The pleats are permanent and the garments can be worn and washed without losing their shape.
Miyake’s pleats run the gamut in scale, which enabled him to evoke dramatic, sharp silhouettes and flowy movements in equal measure. In essence, he created an entirely new material whose iterations are infinite — a feat of technology as much as fashion.
Other innovations include Miyake’s 1997 Just Before collection, which introduced a series of tube-knit dresses that could be cut as desired, reducing both work and resources. His Reality Lab now investigates new materials, such as a fully recycled polyester. Miyake’s prowess, in fact, captured another iconic figure in the tech world: Steve Jobs, for whom the designer made hundreds of identical black turtlenecks, the late Apple founder’s sartorial signature.
Find a collection of vintage Issey Miyake day dresses, jackets, shirts and other clothing on 1stDibs.
ISSEY MIYAKE aqua blue nylon PLEATS PLEASE OPERA Gloves
By Issey Miyake
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Issey Miyake Pleats Please long fringed gloves in aqua nylon (53%), polyester (34%) and polyurethane (13%). Have been worn and are in exce...
Vintage Issey Miyake Men IM 401 Spiderweb Made in Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Rare Pair Of Vintage Issey Miyake Im 401 Spiderwb Like Cut Out Lenses On A Silver Matte Frame. After Almost 40 Years, Issey Miyake Designed And Produced In The 1980'S Still Remains ...
New Vintage Miyake Design Studio Metallic Silver Frame 90's Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
New Vintage Miyake Design Studio Oval Metallic Silver Frame 90'S This Item May Show Minor Sign Of Wear Due To Storage Made In Japan Front ...
Vintage Issey Miyake Men IM 107 Oversized Black Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Rare Pair Of Vintage Issey Miyake Im 107 Frame. After Almost 40 Years, Issey Miyake Designed And Produced In The 1980'S Still Remains One Of The Most Iconic Pieces Of Eyewear & Fashi...
Issey Miyake Black Hairnet With Blue Beads
By Issey Miyake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is thrilled to present a vintage Issey Miyake black hairnet with blue beads, featuring small black and blue beads intricately weaved throughout, open weave net p...
Rare Issey Miyake Plastic "Cup" Hat Runway 1989's Collector's
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
Rare ,one of a kind 1989's Issey Miyake hat. This hat can bee seen on youtube video featuring Issey Miyake under: Fashion Fall 89 and Love Ball New ...
ISSEY SPORT, Oversize Black Wool Saori Weave Scarf
By Issey Miyake
Located in Kingston, NY
ISSEY SPORT, Oversize Black Wool Saori Weave Scarf WIDTH: 17" LENGTH: 70~"
New Vintage Issey Miyake IM 118 Sleek Silver Basquiat 1985 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Released in 1985, extremely rare and coveted. Its simple design of a line and two circles was considered a disruptive design at the time. After almost 40 years, the im-118 series ...
Vintage Issey Miyake Men Opticien Loyd Wrap Around Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
This Ultra Rare Pair Of Issey Miyake Man Matte Grey Frame. After Almost 40 Years, Issey Miyake Designed And Produced In The 1980'S Still Remains One Of The Most Iconic Pieces Of Eyew...
New Vintage Issey Miyake Flip Top Dotted Mirror Lenses 1986 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Seldom is an understatement. This pair of Issey Miyake Suburbia shutters are the epitome of craftsmanship & design. The same coveted and celebrated model in black matte tone worn by Neil Francis Tennant lead singer of the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys...
New Vintage Issey Miyake IM 105 Silver Matte Basquiat IM Series 1985 Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Released in 1985, extremely rare and coveted. Silver matte accented frame with flat iridescent grey lenses. New, never worn or displayed. Minimus wear from storage. Made in Jap...
1980s Issey Miyake Black and Clear Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Fabulous and rare Issey Miyake sunglasses from the 1980s. Rounded aviator style with black and clear acetate frames. Small silver screw details. Issey Miyake brand stamp on interior ...
New Vintage Issey Miyake Shutters Pet Shop Boys Suburbia 1986 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Seldom is an understatement. This pair of Issey Miyake Suburbia shutters are the epitome of craftsmanship & design. The same coveted and celebrated model in black matte tone worn by Neil Francis Tennant lead singer of the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys...
Vintage Issey Miyake Men IM 104 Oversized Black Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Rare Pair Of Vintage Issey Miyake Im 104 Frame. After Almost 40 Years, Issey Miyake Designed And Produced In The 1980'S Still Remains One Of The Most Iconic Pieces Of Eyewear & Fashi...
New Vintage Issey Miyake IM 101 Black Matte Basquiat 1985 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Released in 1985, extremely rare and coveted. Its simple design of a line and two circles was considered a disruptive design at the time. After almost 40 years, the im-101 still r...
New Vintage Issey Miyake MEN Oversized Hinged Mask Wrap Around Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
This ultra rare pair of Issey Miyake Man black matte frame After almost 40 years, Issey Miyake designed and produced in the 1980's still remain...
New Vintage Issey Miyake Men Oversized Mask Wrap Around Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
This ultra rare pair of Issey Miyake Man black matte frame After almost 40 years, Issey Miyake designed and produced in the 1980's still remains one of the most iconic pieces of eye...
New Vintage Issey Miyake IM 102 Hinged Gold Matte 1985 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
This ultra rare pair of Issey Miyake gold matte frame displays a hinged system allowing the sides to become side cups when need it. After almost 4...
New Vintage Issey Miyake IM 120 Sleek Silver Basquiat 1985 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Released in 1985, extremely rare and coveted. Its simple design of a line and two circles was considered a disruptive design at the time. After almost 40 years, the im series stil...
New Vintage Issey Miyake MEN Oversized Mask Wrap Around 1990's Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
This ultra rare pair of Issey Miyake Man black matte frame After almost 40 years, Issey Miyake designed and produced in the 1980's still remain...
New Vintage Issey Miyake IM 111 Rose Silver Basquiat IM Series 1985 Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Released in 1985, extremely rare and coveted. Its simple design of a line and two circles was considered a disruptive design at the time. After almost 40 years, the im series stil...
Donna Karan Japan small vintage glasses frame
By Norma Kamali
Located in Valencia, CA
MAKE: Donna Karan MODEL: DK-142 - 330 MADE IN: Japan CONDITION: New Old Stock [never worn] DIMENSIONS: Lens width: 43 mm / 1 11/16 in Lens height: 37 mm / 1 7/16 in Bridge: 18 m...
Christian Dior By John Galliano Brown Leather & Logo Print "Rasta" Gloves 2004
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a pair of vintage Christian Dior grown leather gloves with Diorissimo logo fabric, reggae-colored trim, and silver-tone hardware. Christian ...
1970s Saks Fifth Avenue Black Sequin Flower Skullcap
By Saks Fifth Avenue
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Super cute vintage Saks Fifth Avenue skullcap beanie! Black stretch knit accented with tons of sequins! Large sequined flower on the center of the hat. Sits comfortably on the back o...
Donna Karan Black Lace Ivory Floral-Accent Majorette Hat
By Donna Karan
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Donna Karan is no stranger to using an interesting hat to set a look apart. Known for her polished, career-wear aesthetic, Donna Karan has revolutionized accessible women’s fashion since the 1980s. Karan’s collections tend to adhere to a standard of neutral colors (most commonly black, and white), and tend to highlight silhouettes structured with soft lines. This Donna Karan features all of these classic elements. Made from a black, coated lace, this majorette inspired hat offers a light, translucent way to top off an edgy/elegant look. A loosely pleated black silk hatband grounds the design with a boyish charm. Sticking to the achromatic color palette, a detachable ivory silk flower brooch...
George Zamau'l Vintage Avant Garde Purple Rhinestone Wool Hat Unworn with Tags
Located in Sparks, NV
Unworn with the original tags still attached! This is a deadstock piece that came from the stock of an old hat store located in Southern California. We have access to the entire inventory of over 3000 unworn vintage hats. By George Zamau...
Roger Fare Pink Leather Vintage Gloves w/ Pearlized Button
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a darling pair of vintage gloves from Roger Fare. They are made of a soft pink leather and are unlined. There is one pearl button closure on each gl...
Fur and leather gloves
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
UNKNOWN - Purple leather gloves edged with fur and ornamented with faceted Swarovski pearls. Cashmere lining. Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Size 7 1/2 SKU:ACC4
Hermes Black Calf and Suede Gloves
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Hermes black calf glove with suede lace-up cuffs. Made in France.
Very Good condition, Size 6.5
Vintage sunglasses from the 90's, crazy shape, made in France
Located in Paris, FR
Discover these BOZ sunglasses, a rare statement piece with a bold design, handcrafted in the true spirit of the 1990s. Made entirely by hand in the workshops of the Jura region the h...
$412Sale Price|20% Off
New Stunning Emilio Pucci Pink 70's Vibe Sunglasses With Case
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Emilio Pucci Sunglasses Brand New * Stunning Classic Pucci 70's Style Sunglasses * Pink Lucite Pucci Print Frames * Gold Hardware * Pucci Logo * Handmade ZYL in Italy * 100% UV Pro...
Black Beaded Adolfo Pillbox Wool Hat 1960s Vintage
By Adolfo
Located in Wallkill, NY
Wool Adolfo Hat. 1960s Black Studded Pill box Hat. Tiny beading scattered over the hat. 22.5 in diameter. Be sure to check our store front for more fabulous pieces from this collecti...
Chanel Archival CC Logo Chunky Grey Cashmere Beanie Hat
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in London, GB
Super rare, unworn archival Chanel cashmere beanie hat. Matching scarf listed also. Made from grey cashmere with a super chunky textured knit, r...
Vintage Issey Miyake Men IM 402 Inner Circle Made in Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Rare Pair Of Vintage Issey Miyake Im 401 Spiderwb Like Cut Out Lenses On A Silver Matte Frame. After Almost 40 Years, Issey Miyake Designed And Produced In The 1980'S Still Remains ...
2000s Issey Miyake Black Bubble Effect Neck Wrap
By Issey Miyake
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Issey Miyake black bubble wrap scarf. Has 2 crinkle ribbon ties at either end. Rectangular shaped. In excellent condition. The fabric is very stretchy 100...
Issey Miyake 1990s Neon Geometric Print Pleated Scarf
By Issey Miyake
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Issey Miyake 1990s Neon Geometric Print Pleated Scarf is a vibrant accessory that embodies the playful yet sophisticated spirit of Miyake's designs. This stunning scarf features ...
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE Lemon yellow raffia straw weave Moroccan hat Rare
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE Lemon yellow raffia straw weave Moroccan hat Rare Reference: TGAS/A02729 Brand: Issey Miyake Material: Polyester Color: Yellow Pattern: Solid Extra Details...
Vintage Issey Miyake Avantgarde Futuristic Silver Runway 1984 Japan Sunglasses
By Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Rare Miyake Design Studio signed this pair of ultra rare as seen on Issey Miyake Runway in 1984, futuristic one lens sunglasses. Superior quality and design. This item show mi...
1990S ISSEY MIYAKE White & Silver Poly Blend Long Pleated Scarf
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
1990S ISSEY MIYAKE White & Silver Poly Blend Long Pleated Scarf
Issey Miyake Pleats Please Yellow Pleated Scarf
By Issey Miyake
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to scarf is evident. Minor pulls to overall fabric on this used Pleats Please Issey Miyake designer resale item. This item comes with original du...
Issey Miyake Women's Pleats Please Geometric Print Silk Plisse Shawl
By Issey Miyake
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to shawl is evident. Minimal wear to the rear-left with small hole on this used Pleats Please Issey Miyake designer resale item. Details Mu...
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE yellow raffia straw woven pointed moroccan hat
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE yellow raffia straw woven pointed moroccan hat Reference: TGAS/A02729 Brand: Issey Miyake Material: Polyester Color: Yellow Pattern: Solid Extra Details: Y...
ISSEY MIYAKE Size L Black Blue Polyester Inverse Beanie
By Issey Miyake
Located in San Francisco, CA
ISSEY MIYAKE beanie comes in a black & blue polyester featuring a inverse color design. Made in Japan. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: One Size Measurements: Opening: 20 in...
Issey Miyake Purple & Brown Plisse Scarf
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
Product Details: Purple and brown plisse scarf by Issey Miyake. 59" length, 16" width. Condition: Pre-owned. Very good. Little to no signs of wear.
1990S ISSEY MIYAKE Grey & Green Wool Blend Scarf Pleated With Felted Geometric
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
1990S ISSEY MIYAKE Grey & Green Wool Blend Scarf Pleated With Felted Geometric Shapes