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.
Perhaps no designer better embodies fashion cool than Kawakubo. And when she makes industry veterans lose their cool, well, that’s a fashion moment. 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 — her designs for widely loved vintage Comme des Garçons dresses, shirts and other clothing and accessories 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.
For Kawakubo, the body is a mere support, an easel that holds the canvas on which she exercises her formidable creative energy in a perpetual quest to invent a brave new world using fabric, or its equivalent, as her brushstroke. Today's enthusiasts of 1990s fashion revere Kawakubo for her progressive pink plaid grunge dresses, velvet jackets and nylon skirts of the era, which resembled little else back then. They were modeled by the likes of Naomi Campbell and other luminaries of the industry.
Even though the brand has over the years worked with other innovative designers such as Tao Kurihara and Junya Watanabe and has launched 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 Rei Kawakubo shirts, jackets, day dresses and Comme des Garçons clothing on 1stDibs.
CommeDesGarcons ReiKawakubo AsymmetricalLumps LightweightWool FittedBlouse, 1994
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
With a unique hand-folded, gathered and topstitched square neckline with contrasting triangular "lumps", this asymmetrical lightweight-wool long-sleeve pullover loose-fitting blouse ...
New In Box 2013 Hermès x Comme des Garçons "Quadrige" Silk Twill Carre Scarf
By Hermès, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Geneva, CH
When the Hermès women wear artistic director Bali Barret invited one of the most prominent and influential designers from the East - Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons) - to share her v...
CommeDesGarcons Runway HandTiedDistressed DrawstringAnkle BalloonPants, S/S2003
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
These deconstructed black balloon pants by Comme des Garcons founder Rei Kawakubo premiered on the Paris Fashion Week runway for her Spring/Summer 2003 collection. Featuring unique c...
CommeDesGarcons RunwayLook12 BiasCut Draping TranslucentSatin MaxiDress, S/S2000
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in Chicago, IL
Comme des Garcon founder Rei Kawakubo designed this translucent salmon-pink bias-cut satin sleeveless maxi dress evening gown for her Spring/Summer 2000 collection, which debuted on a runway model at Paris Fall Fashion Week as "Look 12" among the Vogue photo-coverage (see our last photo of the ensemble). The unusual V-neck shape creates a deep central drape in the front of the unlined dress that prevents the synthetic semi-transparent fabric from clinging to the torso. To continue to flatter the curvy shape of the lower body like the bias-cut enables, such as while walking, Kawakubo added an additional piece of fabric with a circling angular seam that rises from the wider hem. With the exception of the brand tag, all others were cut off by the sole owner to eliminate bulk and visibility through the dress. If the buyer would prefer, the fabric can be made shinier and completely smooth with professional pressing. If the buyer would like to create a layered ensemble with this gown as seen on the runway, we have other textural colorful tops to choose from with over-dyed unique appliques from this same Spring/Summer 2000 collection. However, we think our backless-mannequin photos show that this minimal dress...
Comme des Garçons by Rei Kawakubo Skirt Suit A/W 1986
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in London, GB
- Autumn / Winter 1986 Comme des Garçons runway collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage - Black avant garde skirt suit. Double breasted jacket with voluminous peplum. Lon...
CommeDesGarcons S/S 1997 RunwayLook11 TulleTop & DrapedSkirtDress TwoPieceSet
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
For Comme des Garcons Spring/Summer 1997 iconic collection titled "Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body", which was nicknamed lumps-and-bumps, Rei Kawakubo designed this navy two-piece set of transparent pullover long-sleeve net tulle blouse and convertible translucent bias-cut draping long skirt or tube dress debuted on the runway in "Look 11" among the Vogue coverage (partly concealed under a navy open robe). Significantly, our pair repeats the fashion show's "Look 1" theme--which was interpreted by TheMet museum curators as "clothing-absence/body-presence"--with a see-through symmetrical top revealing breasts and a bias-cut draped asymmetrical skirt that clings to body curves. Variations of this silhouette were modeled in white, navy or red. Many had net-encased organ-shaped down pillows freely inserted into net underlays by the designer to shockingly distort the silhouettes with impossible feminine curves, such as with two kidney-shapes on the back or a tube across the front of the hips. This set will likewise accommodate such padding that is apparent in the Vogue photos...
CommeDesGarcons SilkApplique TransparentOrganza & Tulle AdultPunk Pullover, 1997
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
1997 arguably marked the pinnacle of Japanese Comme des Garcons founder and fashion designer Rei Kawakubo's collection debuts when she introduced deconstructed asymmetrical "lumps and bumps" padding and transparent tops that both deformed and revealed female bodies. For her Fall/Winter 1997 "Adult Punk" collection, she designed this transparent ecru organza pullover blouse, whose bodice and lower long sleeves are color-blocked with white textured silk-blend appliques and lined in white tulle that is hand-sheered above the outer hem. A recent Parisian exhibition at Musee de la Mode, "1997 Fashion...
Comme des Garcons F/W 2010 Asymmetric Checkered Top
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Rei Kawakubo - Fall Winter 2010 Collection - Asymmetric Checkered Top - Checkered B/W Pattern - Asymmetric hemline - Asymmetric cut at the sleeves - Round neckline - Ex...
Comme des Garcons F/W 2006 Black Floral Lace MultiSleeves T-Shirt
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Rei Kawakubo - Fall Winter 2006 collection - Black Floral Lace MultiSleeves T-Shirt - Multisleeves design - Floral Lace details on the front - Simple round neckline - E...
Comme des Garçons navy wool wrap top A/W 1983
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in London, GB
- Autumn / Winter 1983 Comme des Garçons Runway collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage - Navy wool top with exaggerated long sleeves - Can be worn either way around, as...
COMME DES GARCONS Homme Plus 2018 PU cowhide leather pleated kilt skirt S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Homme Plus 2018 white PU cowhide leather trimmed pleated kilt skirt S Reference: CYTY/A00001 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Homme Plus ...
Comme des Garcons Homme Plus S/S 2011 Skull Checkered Button Up Shirt
By Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Rei Kawakubo - Spring Summer 2011 - Runway Piece - Skull Checkered Shirt - Skull and Check Pattern - Light Blue Stripes - Button up closure - Excellent Condition - Made...
Comme des Garçons Homme Plus F/W 2022 Black Hoodie with Tulle
By Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Rei Kawakubo - Fall Winter 2022 - Black Hoodie with Tulle - Homme Plus Collection - Frontal Tulle application - Asymmetric hem on both sides - Hooded design - Frontal z...
$421Sale Price|20% Off
Comme des Garcons Homme Plus F/W 2013 Black Wool Inverted Frac Sweater
By Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Rei Kawakubo - Fall Winter 2013 - Homme Plus Line - Black Wool Inverted Frac Sweater - Round neckline - Knitted checkered design - Inverted Frac design - Slim fit - Goo...
Comme Des Garcons Fall 2014 Rope Front Jumbo Knit Jacket Unisex
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in London, GB
The most amazing, work of art jacket from the iconic Comme Des Garcons Fall 2014 Jumbo Knit collection. Unisex Unworn. Has Kawakubo's signature mix of avant guard and insouciance...
CommeDesGarcons Kawakubo HandCutOverdyedAppliques Knit Pullover Top, 2000
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection that Rei Kawakubo described as "beautiful chaos", this purple-overdyed grey stretch knit short-sleeve pullover top, which is perceived as diffe...
Comme des Garçons Slashed Vest 1990s
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in London, GB
- 1990s collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage London - Cotton vest slashed on the should and side and held together with tule and chiffon ruffled ribbon - Label size M...
Comme des Garçons Wool Asymmetric Belted Coat A/W 1987
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in London, GB
- Autumn/ Winter 1987 collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage - Black wool asymmetric coat with attached belt photographed by Peter Lindbergh - Made in Japan
$781Sale Price|24% Off
Comme des Garçons F/W 1990 Blue sangallo lace jacket
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Milano, IT
- Fall Winter 1990/91 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Blue Sangallo lace cropped jacket - Fitted to the body - Snap buttons closure - Made in Japan Conditions: Excellent Composition: ...
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Small
Guy Laroche Silk Evening Pajama set in Cream and Black Dots Pink Trim 1990s
By Guy Laroche
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Guy Laroche Silk Evening Pajama set in Cream and Black Dots with Pink Trim from the 1990s. This amazing set is perfect for anyone who likes the chic a...
1988 Stephen Sprouse Sequin Gown
By Stephen Sprouse
Located in Austin, TX
1988 Stephen Sprouse sequin gown with off center racing back. Has stretch. Orange, pink and yellow color Condition: Excellent Size 6
$3,850
Size: FR 38 (US 6 / UK 10 / IT 42)
Documented Chanel By Karl Lagerfeld Runway Metallic Ribbed-Knit Maxi Dress, FW96
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Geneva, CH
Perfect for the inter-seasons, the color of this rare Fall-Winter 1996 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld t-shirt maxi dress is reminiscent of the holiday season about to begin ! Its twin walk...
Dramatic Thierry Mugler FW1990 Archival Black Skirt Suit Sculptural
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy piece of Fashion History The super dramatic beautiful Archival Thierry Mugler ensemble, two piece set (jacket and skirt). Extremely rare black jacket and skirt from th...
ROBERTO CAVALLI 2000's Vintage Taupe Plissé Grecian Embellished Evening Gown
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Leonardo, NJ
This would make an amazing bride bridal wedding festivity dress Roberto Cavalli Vintage 2000's Dramatic and voluminous taupe plissé Huge front/side slit Super shiny clear crystals wi...
Gold evening slip dress with lace edge LOLITA LEMPICKA
By Lolita Lempicka
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Gold silk (74%) and polyester ( 26%) evening slip dress with lace edge. SIZE 42 (Fr) L
Pale pink evening dress with pink sequin GAI MATTIOLO The Red Carpet
By Gai Mattiolo
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink evening dress with pink sequin. No fabric composition tag but the main fabric and lining is probably polyester. Thin padded bra. Invisible zip closure and hook&eye on the l...
GIANNI VERSACE 1995 Iconic Vintage Runway Red & Black Skirt Suit
By Gianni Versace
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Gianni Versace Vintage Runway FW95 Brick Red + Black Oversized black medusa buttons IT44 Excellent Condition, one micro hole in lining, otherwise no flaws, looks like new Perfect for...
$288Sale Price|20% Off
WUNDERKIND bronze gold brown 100% silk floral sequin handkerchief dress US2 S
Located in Hong Kong, NT
WUNDERKIND bronze gold brown 100% silk floral sequin handkerchief dress US2 S Reference: NKLL/A00532 Brand: Wunderkind Material: Silk Color: Gold, Brown Pattern: Sequins Closure: Zip...
$436Sale Price|54% Off
Size: 4+
Embroidered Pink and Sage French Floral Organza Vintage Full Sleeve Gown
By Barbara Tfank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Palest pink, sage and gold embroidered French floral organza vintage princess seamed gown. Perfect for winter getaways to Palm Beach and Bahamas, and s...
Ann Demeulemeester 2000's Trompe L'oeil Venus de Milo Art to Wear Dress
By Ann Demeulemeester
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Venus de Milo lends itself to a sultry trompe l'oeil by Ann Demeulemeester. Made of 100% stretch nylon for a comfortable and loose fit. Comes with semi attached sash belt...
S/S 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Wrist Tie Cotton Button Up Blouse
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Gucci blouse from the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, designed by Tom Ford, is cut in a fitted silhouette in black cotton with a stand collar and concealed snap at the front. The...
Sold
Size: Medium / UK 8-12 (stretchy)
Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garçons 2007 Avant Guard Mesh Bubble Cream Tube Skirt
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in Sheffield, GB
Avant Guard 2007 COMME des GARÇONS by Rei Kawakubo cream mesh tube skirt with bizarre Tennis ball like spherical foam detailed hem. Features; Stretchy elasticated fit Semi Sheer text...
Comme des Garçons Jacket With Faux Fur Collar A/W 1989
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in London, GB
- Autumn/Winter 1989 runway collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage London - Wool cropped jacket with a faux fur collar on a bomber jacket style cotton ribbed waistband t...
Comme des Garçons Skirt With Applique A/W 2006
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in London, GB
- Autumn/ Winter 2006 collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage London - Black skirt with avant garde construction - *Pinned on model - Label size M - Excellent condition
Comme des Garçons Buttoned Top S/S 1997
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in London, GB
- Spring/ Summer 1997 collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage London - Buttoned up wool short sleeved top lined, with asymmetric hem and interesting construction - Excel...
Comme des Garcons Quilted Silk Dress S/S 1993 Re Issue of A/W
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in London, GB
- Spring/ Summer 1993 Comme des Garçons Noir Label collection by Rei Kawakubo - Sold by Mae Vintage London - This dress is a re issue of a A/W 1987 faux leather dress. Made in qui...
Comme des Garçons F/W 2007/08 Black and blue wool midi coat
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Milano, IT
- Fall Winter 2007/08 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Black and Blue midi coat - Fitted to the body - Botton closure - Above knee length - Made in Japan Condition: Excellent Compositio...
CommeDesGarcons 1999RunwayFinale Overdyed Convertible Pinned CapeDress MaxiSkirt
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
As the key element of runway finale Looks 57 and 60 for the Comme Des Garcons Spring/Summer 1999 collection (see our photos of the Vogue coverage), this layered overdyed-purple navy ...
Comme Des Garcons Black Sheer Chiffon Bodice Draped Ruffle Balloon Sleeve Top
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Comme Des Garcons black sheer polyester chiffon, draped balloon Sleeve top 2004. Asymmetrical hem bodice has off white taped seams, the top closes with hook & eyes the facings are ta...
Comme des Garcons vintage 2005 "broken brides" collection cotton printed handbag
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Rei Kawakubo's Fall 2005 "Broken Bride" Collection for Comme des Garcons represented beautiful and romantic "nuptial" clothing inspired by the Victorian e...
Comme des Garcons blue sequin drawstring skirt
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in Austin, TX
Blue Comme des Garçons knee-length skirt with elasticized waist, sequin embellishments throughout and drawstring closures at waist. Condition: Excellent. Size M Waist: 28" Hip: 32" L...
Comme des Garcons "bad taste" ruffle dress 2008
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Austin, TX
2008 Black Comme des Garçons sleeveless wool ruffle-trimmed A-line maxi dress with tonal paneling throughout, crew neck, dual patch pockets at front, belt accent at waist and button ...
Comme des Garcons black padded cage dress circa 2011
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Austin, TX
Comme des Garcons blk padded cage dress circa 2011. Condition: Excellent. Size S