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.
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 ...
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 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...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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~"
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Chanel CC Slim Bandeau Twillie Pink/Light Blue/Red 2022 New
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel CC Bandeau Slim Pink/Light blue/red colors Length about 124” approximately New with tags and clear bag from Chanel Made in Italy 100% Silk Final sale
PRADA Leather Hat Rare Cap Visor Equestrian Aviator
By Prada
Located in Berlin, BE
Symphony in Leather: The Rare Prada Masterpiece The rare Prada leather hat showcases the brand's unparalleled craftsmanship and avant-garde design ethos. Crafted from the finest, s...
Sting oval sunglasses, Italy
By De rigo, Sting
Located in Valencia, CA
Founded in 1985, Sting Eyewear burst onto the scene as a fresh face in the world of Italian eyewear. Targeting a youthful audience, the brand quickly gained a reputation for its styl...
Sting narrow tortoise sunglasses, made in Italy
By De rigo, Sting
Located in Valencia, CA
MAKE: Sting MODEL: 6101 - 740 MADE IN: Italy ERA: 1980s CONDITION: New Old Stock [never worn] DIMENSIONS: Lens width: 47 mm / 1 7/8 in Lens height: 29 mm / 1 1/8 in Bridge: 21 m...
France 70s vintage sunglasses by Argos
By Argosol S.r.l. De Rigo
Located in Valencia, CA
MAKE: Argos MODEL: 876/ST MADE IN: France ERA: 1970s CONDITION: New Old Stock [never worn] DIMENSIONS: Lens width: 54 mm / 2 1/8 in Lens height: 47 mm / 1 7/8 in Bridge: 18 mm ...
$295
Size: none; size 21" or 6 3/4 US
Black Sequin Cocktail Fascinator Hat with Tulle Cage Veil - S, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
A knockout accessory for New Years Eve or a black tie event, this cocktail hat is as petite as a fascinator but packs the punch of a wide brim. Both glitzy and understated, it balances a glittering sequin skull cap with an alluring cage veil for an unforgettably sophisticated look. Rigid oval calot cap with pavé black sequins; attached tulle birdcage veil...
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...
Vintage Cartier Santos Screws Titanium Romance Sunglasses circa 1980s
By Cartier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Cartier aviator style sunglasses featuring Cartier's signature titanium screw motif circa 1980s. Thin silver frames with solid yellow gold screws are c...
Vintage Ralph Lauren Sunglasses
By Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Sunglasses RALPH RA5250 169294 RALPH RA5250 169294 sunglasses are ideal for a wide variety of personalities who stand out for their essence and have a predilection for good taste F...
Paco Rabanne hat spring 2022
By Paco Rabanne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
PACO RABANNE - Pink coat-of-mail hat with fringes. 2022 Spring-Summer Collection under the direction of Julien Dossena. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Diameter: about 5...
Schiaparelli Talleyrand Silhouette Revival Stovepipe Hat
By Elsa Schiaparelli, Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli's 1945 Talleyrand Silhouette revival stove pipe hat is a later 1950's interpretation of her earlier design. When Schiaparelli returned to Paris, she presented her first...
$95
Size: 6; comparable to size S
Black Beaded Doeskin Velvet Notched Evening Forearm Gloves - S, 1950s
By Fownes
Located in Tucson, AZ
Though they serve a practical purpose, gloves can also be an opportunity to express your personal style. To wit, these velvety evening gloves feature a demure line of seed beads from...
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 Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake
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