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 black white 2023 REITERATION PLEATED Skirt 2 M
By Issey Miyake
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Issey Miyake Reiteration skirt in white pleated polyester (100%) with black grid print. Features a mid-rise, straight silhouette with elegant midi length, defined by t...
Issey Miyake Skirt with Straps
By Issey Miyake
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black cotton blend skirt from Issey Miyake. The straight skirt has functional, adjustable straps and metal rings along each side. It is lined, has a front zipper with 2 me...
Blue jacquard pleated skirt ISSEY MIYAKE
By Issey Miyake
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Blue jacquard pleated skirt . Fabric composition: 73% triacetate, 23% polyester, 4% nylon. Elastic waist SIZE M
Issey Miyake Black Pleated Skirt With Points
By Issey Miyake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Issey Miyake pleated skirt finished in black is the understated star of the show.The pointed hem line is such a whimsical addition, and fun piece to layer with. Issey Miyake ...
1990S ISSEY MIYAKE Black Polyester Satin Avant Garde Ribbon Accordian Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
1990S ISSEY MIYAKE Black Polyester Satin Avant Garde Ribbon Accordian Skirt
early 1980's ISSEY MIYAKE block printed skirt with asymmetrical flounce
By Issey Miyake
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Early 1980s Issey Miyake skirt in a hand block-printed fabric with an asymmetrical flounced hem. The varied pattern and uneven cut create movement and texture. A strong example of hi...
Issey Miyake Striped Wool Transformable Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Issey Miyake Striped Wool Transformable Skirt with attached strap to use as desired. The skirt is basically a doubled over rectangle with a hole at center for waist. There is a wide black wool strap is attached to each end of the fold forming a loop. A black pocket hangs freely from waistline. Light weight wool in greyish green...
$210Sale Price|30% Off
ISSEY MIYAKE Pleats Please wool blend pleated plisse slit back skirt JP3 L
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE Pleats Please wool blend pleated plisse slit back skirt JP3 L Reference: KNLM/A00334 Brand: Issey Miyake Collection: Pleats Please Material: Wool, Blend Color: Black Pat...
$672Sale Price|20% Off
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage beige hand stitched colourful sheer panel skirt M Rare
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage beige hand stitched colourful sheer panel skirt M Rare Reference: CRTI/A00484 Brand: Issey Miyake Material: Cotton Color: Beige Pattern: Solid Closure: Button Ex...
Issey Miyake Black Pleated Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our Issey Miyake pkeated skirt finished in black can be paired with any top or separate.The circle shape is a play on an iconic silhouette. Issey Miyake is a Japanese designer who r...
Vintage Issey Miyake Sheer Transformable Skirt / Cape / Poncho Peacock Blue
By Issey Miyake
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Issey Miyake pleated transformable skirt in a striking peacock blue tone, designed in Miyake’s signature lightweight sheer pleated fabrication. This exceptional piece functio...
Issey Miyake Pleats Please Black Polka Dot Skirt, F/W 1999
By Issey Miyake
Located in Paris, FR
From Issey Miyake’s Fall/Winter 1999 Pleats Please line, this black pleated skirt embodies the designer’s philosophy of dynamic form and movement. Made in Japan using Miyake’s signat...
Vintage Issey Miyake Black Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear vintage skirt by Issey Miyake. The skirt has a three button side opening and horizontal bands of fabric. Label number lm94 -fg 918.
Issey Miyake Colorblock Woven Ribbon Skirt, 1990s
By Issey Miyake
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Issey Miyake has a unique architectural aesthetic mixing concepts that typically would be avoided by most designers. Fine, micro-pleating, one of his favorites, is incorporated into ...
2000S ISSEY MIYAKE Powder Blue Cotton Pleated Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
2000S ISSEY MIYAKE Powder Blue Cotton Pleated Skirt
Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Plaid & Polka-dot Pleated Skirt
By Pleats Please, Issey Miyake
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Step into the vibrant world of 1990s fashion with the Issey Miyake Pleats Please skirt, a stunning piece that encapsulates bold creati...
1970S ISSEY MIYAKE Camel Bronze Wool Jersey Draped Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
1970S ISSEY MIYAKE Camel Bronze Wool Jersey Draped Skirt
Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Multicolor Midi Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Multicolor Midi Skirt is a vibrant and playful piece that showcases the designer's signature pleating technique. This eye-catching midi skirt fea...
$370Sale Price|35% Off
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE dark blue denim patchwork print pleated skirt JP2 M
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE dark blue denim patchwork print pleated skirt JP2 M Reference: TGAS/C01966 Brand: Issey Miyake Collection: Pleats Please Material: Polyester Color: Blue, B...
Issey Miyake Resort 2018 Pleated Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Issey Miyake Resort 2018 Pleated Skirt is a captivating piece that demonstrates the brand's signature use of pleating and innovative textile design. This skirt features a unique ...
Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Magenta Asymmetric Hem Midi Skirt
By Issey Miyake, Pleats Please
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Midi Skirt in a vibrant magenta hue is a stunning example of the designer's innovative approach to fabric manipulation. Featuring small, delightf...
Issey Miyake Brown Long Skirt With Accordion Pipe Pleats 2000-2001
By Issey Miyake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to present a vintage Issey Miyake brown long skirt with accordion pleats from the 2000s collection, featuring a straight silhouette, size zipper with ...
Issey Miyake Black Satin Ribbon Cage Maxi Skirt, 1990s
By Issey Miyake
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Clothing is all about turning the two-dimensional into 3-dimensional. Through innovative techniques and fabric manipulation, Issey Miyake never fails to deliver interesting ways to m...
Issey Miyake Vintage S/S 1991 Color Block Petal Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in London, GB
Issey Miyake S/S 1991 Colour Block Petal Skirt. Features purple and black contrast colours, pleated fabric with petal maxi skirt and waistband waist. As seen on the runway in a dress...
Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Multicolor Pattern Print Maxi Skirt
By Issey Miyake, Pleats Please
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Issey Miyake 1990s Pleats Please Multicolor Pattern Print Maxi Skirt is a stunning testament to Miyake’s pioneering approach to fashion. Featuring an eye-catching abstract print,...
Issey Miyake 1990s Blue and Purple Plaid Print Pleated Maxi Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate your wardrobe with the Issey Miyake 1990s Blue and Purple Plaid Print Pleated Maxi Skirt, a stunning piece that effortlessly combines style and comfort. This eye-catching ski...
Issey Miyake Green Blue Pleated Satin Ribbon Skirt, 1990s
By Issey Miyake
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Born in 1938 in Hiroshima, Japan, Issey Miyake throughout his career became a beacon of merging modernist elements of both Eastern and Western culture. Having trained extensively in Parisian couture houses, Miyake came to open his own studio in Japan in 1970. His focus was creating fashions with an experimental approach, most notably with his iconic usage of pleating. Made in lavish jewel tones of sapphire, emerald, and antiqued copper, this skirt incorporates unconnected rows of satin ribbons pleated in sections to compose this 1996 skirt...
Issey Miyake, Maxi lace skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Issey Miyake, Maxi lace skirt. The item is in very good condition. Comes with slip skirt. • CONDITION: very good condition • SIZE: 2 - S • MEASUREMENTS: length 94 cm, waist 31 c...
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage black lacquered coating pleated mini skirt M Rare
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage black lacquered coating pleated mini skirt M Rare Reference: CRTI/A00562 Brand: Issey Miyake Material: Cotton Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Extra Deta...
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE dark blue denim patchwork print pleated skirt JP2 M
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE dark blue denim patchwork print pleated skirt JP2 M Reference: TGAS/C01966 Brand: Issey Miyake Collection: Pleats Please Material: Polyester Color: Blue, B...
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE grey black cable knit print pleated midi skirt JP2 M
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE grey black cable knit print pleated midi skirt JP2 M Reference: TGAS/C01967 Brand: Issey Miyake Model: Pleats Please Material: Polyester Color: Grey, Black...
Issey Miyake Pleated Sculptural Skirt – Taupe Chevron Texture Asymmetrical Point
By Issey Miyake
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Issey Miyake pleated skirt in a soft taupe tone, crafted in the brand’s signature heat-set pleated fabrication. The skirt features a striking directional pleat pattern, arranged in a...
$427Sale Price|25% Off
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE grey black cable knit print pleated midi skirt JP2 M
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE grey black cable knit print pleated midi skirt JP2 M Reference: TGAS/C01967 Brand: Issey Miyake Model: Pleats Please Material: Polyester Color: Grey, Black...
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage beige hand stitched colourful sheer panel skirt M Rare
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage beige hand stitched colourful sheer panel skirt M Rare Reference: CRTI/A00484 Brand: Issey Miyake Material: Cotton Color: Beige Pattern: Solid Closure: Button Ex...
Issey Miyake black asymmetric pleat skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
Issey Miyake black skirt in their signature pleated material is asymmetrical-cut with a elestic waistband which measures 26". The front length measures 35", the side lenth measu...
Issey Miyake plum panned-velvet skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in New York, NY
This Issey Miyake skirt measures 35 1/4" in length. The eleven buttons are located on the back and off centered. The waistband is 1", the waist is 24" unstretched. The skirt can be o...
Issey Miyake Orange Abstract Print Pleated Maxi Skirt
By Issey Miyake
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Issey Miyake Orange Abstract Print Pleated Maxi Skirt offers a vibrant burst of color and artistic flair, making it a statement piece for any fashion-forward wardrobe. Crafted fr...
$504Sale Price|20% Off
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage black lacquered coating pleated mini skirt M Rare
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE Vintage black lacquered coating pleated mini skirt M Rare Reference: CRTI/A00562 Brand: Issey Miyake Material: Cotton Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Extra Deta...