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.
Comme des Garçons F/W 2001 Burgundy Velvet Bustier and Wrap Skirt Set
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Paris, FR
Bustier and wrap skirt set Comme des Garçons constructed from luxurious burgundy cotton velvet. The strapless bustier features distinctive architectural bust cups with black trim det...
1930S White With Pink And Blue Floral Print Lace Organic Cotton Bias Negligee XL
By Comme des Garçons
Located in New York, NY
1930S White With Pink And Blue Floral Print Lace Organic Cotton Bias Negligee XL
$500
Size: none; one size fits most
Blush Edwardian Padded Canton Silk Embroidered Boudoir Robe - O/S, 1900s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Though this robe’s delicate pastel hue and exquisite softness make it an ideal dressing gown, it would be such a shame to hide it behind closed doors. Cut much like a 1950s swing coat, it could easily double for lightweight outerwear or a chic tunic worn over leggings. Collarless drop shoulder robe embroidered with tonal chrysanthemums; wide bracelet length sleeves and hip-high slits both sides. 5 frog closures with brass buttons from throat to waist; fully lined in matching whisper weight crêpe de Chine. fabric: padded Canton silk...
Robe and night-gown in pink nylon and tulle with gold Polka dots Schiaparelli
By Schiaparelli
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Robe and night-gown in pink nylon and tulle with gold Polka dots. The Robe is draped on the shoulders and close with gold metal buttons. The dress is draped o...
1950S Black Nylon/Lace Bullet Bra
Pale pink silk night gown with embroideries and lace Circa 1930's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink silk night gown with embroideries and lace. Thin thread belt loop ( no belt) Tiny hand made pleats on the top of the dress. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
$2,500
H 74 in W 51 in D 2 in L 74 in
1970s Japanese Silk Wedding Uchikake Kimono with Phoenix and Peony Brocade
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1970s Japanese Silk Wedding Uchikake Kimono with Phoenix and Peony Brocade A magnificent vintage Japanese silk wedding uchikake kimono, handcrafted in Japan circa 1970s, showcasing the timeless artistry of traditional Japanese bridal couture. Woven in luminous ivory silk and fully lined in vibrant red silk, this ceremonial bridal kimono is richly decorated with auspicious gold phoenixes (Hō-ō) soaring among lavish red, blush pink, and golden peonies, symbols of prosperity, beauty, happiness, and longevity in Japanese culture. The luxurious silk brocade is enhanced with shimmering metallic gold weaving that catches the light beautifully, creating exceptional depth and movement. The dramatic padded red hem, known as the fuki, identifies this garment as an uchikake, a formal over-kimono traditionally worn by brides during Shinto wedding ceremonies. Unlike everyday kimono, an uchikake is designed to be worn open over another kimono, allowing the richly woven textile and ceremonial motifs to be fully appreciated. The magnificent composition combines elegant phoenixes with blooming peonies and seasonal blossoms, creating a harmonious celebration of renewal, good fortune, and marital happiness. Every panel is meticulously matched, demonstrating the extraordinary craftsmanship of Japanese textile artisans. A striking collector's textile, this vintage Japanese wedding kimono...
VALENTINO Roma c.1990's Black Silk Floral Lace Hem Classic Slip Skirt
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Thiensville, WI
Valentino Roma black silk floral lace hem classic slip skirt. Thin banded waist. Left side seam invisible zipper closure. Gathered waistline. Black floral lace detail at hem with sca...
Art Deco Mandarin Collar Lingerie Wrap Dress
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco negligee wrap dress of pink silk crepe with deep hem, capelet sleeves and back of sheer floral patterned beige colored lace. Unusual Mandarin collar detail with two large co...
Pale pink short silk slip dress with lace inset and tulle edge Circa 1920's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink short silk slip dress with lace inset and tulle edge. Hook&eye closure on the middle back. Silk strap in between the legs. SIZE 34/ XXS
$721
Size: Recommended Size; UK 10
Rare A/W 1992 Dolce & Gabbana Strapless Statue of liberty Corset / Bustier Top
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Sheffield, GB
Archival A/W 1992 Vintage Dolce & Gabbana bustier. Crafted in a ‘Statue of Liberty’ style tapestry print. The garment features a boned bodice, farrier hook closure down the centr...
$501
Size: UK 6 - 8 (Small -Medium)
2000's Christian Dior by John Galliano Cream Sheer Pearl Strappy slip Dress
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Demure 2000's Christian Dior by John Galliano slip dress featuring a Peal coloured Body and adjustable shoulder straps with sheer nude coloured mesh panel Chest. MADE IN FRANCE. R...
$995
Size: Small / Medium
Lot of 3 Brand New Wolford & Italian Black, Red, and Silver Semi Sheer Bodysuits
By Wolford
Located in San Diego, CA
Lot of three brand new WOLFORD and COSABELLA bodysuits! From left to right is an Italian Cosabella black crochet high neck thong bodysuit. A red semi sheer sleeveless bodysuit. A black and silver metallic long sleeve semi sheer bodysuit...
$295
Size: none; comparable to size medium
Erès-Inspired Peach Silk Charmeuse Backless Step-In Singlette Lingerie– M, 1930s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Before the days of separate bras and panties, “step-ins” or “singlettes”—precursors of the modern teddy—were the perfect undergarment beneath the sleek bias cut dresses of the 1930s....