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 other clothing on 1stDibs.
new 2013 COMME DES GARCONS grey jacket with oversized rose motif
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very dramatic, asymmetrical grey wool jacket with oversized rose motif designed by Rei Kawakubo. Similar jackets were seen on the spring 2013 runway. Jacket has a 'tuxedo' style fit ...
$3,552Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1993 Vintage black voluminous shrug Cindy Sherman
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1993 Vintage black voluminous shrug Cindy Sherman Reference: CRTI/A00714 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1993 - Runway As seen on: Cindy...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1990 black pleated fan ruffle sheer top S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1990 black pleated fan ruffle sheer top S Reference: CRTI/A00421 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1990 Material: Nylon Color: Bla...
COMME DES GARCONS 1990 Vintage Runway grey sheer pleated ruffle gloves shrug
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1990 Vintage Runway grey sheer pleated ruffle gloves shrug Reference: CRTI/A00669 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1990 - Runway As seen ...
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 Runway black shredded silk fringe multi sleeves top
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 Runway black silk shredded silk fringe velvet multi sleeves crop top S Reference: TGAS/G00082 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: ...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1990 black pleated fan ruffle sheer top S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1990 black pleated fan ruffle sheer top S Reference: CRTI/A00421 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1990 Material: Nylon Color: Bla...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black linen square shorter back loose top S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black linen square shorter back loose top S Reference: CRTI/A00623 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Linen, ...
Rei Kawakubo 1990s sheer nylon brown top
By Rei Kawakubo
Located in Austin, TX
Rei Kawakubo 1990s sheer nylon brown top. Size M Condition: very good, some wear, see photos.
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage white frayed seams patchwork boxy sweater top M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage white frayed seams patchwork boxy sweater top M Reference: CRTI/A00665 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Co...
2006 COMME DES GARCONS black ruched jacket
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very dramatic asymmetrical black jacket with ruching designed by Rei Kawakubo for Comme Des Garcons. Similar pieces were seen on the spring 2006 runway. Labeled a size 'M'. Measurem...
COMME DES GARCONS yellow gold round sequinned deconstructed 3D cut cropped vest
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS yellow gold round sequinned deconstructed 3D cut back cropped vest Reference: ASMK/A00018 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Fabric Color: Go...
2013 COMME DES GARCONS black and red RUNWAY jacket
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very dramatic asymmetrically pleated runway jacket designed by Rei Kawakubo as seen on the spring 2013 runway. Labeled a size 'M'. Can be worn front to back or back to front. It is s...
$464Sale Price|20% Off
Runway COMME DES GARCONS 1990s sheer brown pleated ruffle button front shirt M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Runway COMME DES GARCONS 1990s sheer brown pleated ruffle button front shirt M Reference: CRTI/A00518 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Runway Material: Ray...
$528Sale Price|20% Off
Runway COMME DES GARCONS 2004 black sheer mesh jewel embellishment ruffle vest S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Runway COMME DES GARCONS 2004 black sheer mesh jewel embellishment ruffle vest S Reference: CRTI/A00475 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2004 - Runway Mate...
$1,152Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's deconstructed wrap bias placket cutout shirt M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's deconstructed wrap bias placket cutout shirt M Reference: CRTI/A00667 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Fee...
COMME DES GARCONS 2014 black cupra wool trim woven sheer overlay top XS
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 2014 black cupra wool trim woven sheer overlay top XS Reference: MECG/A00309 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2014 Material: Cupra, Wool ...
$384Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DS GARCONS Vintage navy blue terry cotton angular cut armhole zip top M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DS GARCONS Vintage navy blue terry cotton angular cut armhole zip top M Reference: CRTI/A00517 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Cotton Color: Blue Patt...
$640Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black asymmetric tiered flared tie back shirt M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black asymmetric tiered flared tie back shirt M Reference: CRTI/A00376 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Cotton Color: Black P...
Runway COMME DES GARCONS 1990s sheer brown pleated ruffle button front shirt M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Runway COMME DES GARCONS 1990s sheer brown pleated ruffle button front shirt M Reference: CRTI/A00518 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Runway Material: Ray...
$23,400Sale Price|25% Off
rare COMME DES GARCONS 1997 Lumps Bumps padded irregular cut top skirt set M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garcons Homme
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS 1997 Lumps Bumps padded irregular cut top skirt set M Reference: TGAS/A06031 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Model: Lumps and Bumps Collection:...
COMME DES GARCONS 2019 black velvet multi sleeves wide neck cut out crop top XS
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 2019 black velvet multi sleeves wide neck cut out crop top XS Reference: TGAS/G00077 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Fall/Winter 2019 "A...
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 black textured cowhide leather fringed petal top XS
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 black textured cowhide leather fringed petal tunic top XS Reference: TGAS/G00068 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Fall/Winter 2...
$792Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 2009 black sheer velvet patchwork bumps raw sleeveless vest M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 2009 black sheer velvet patchwork bumps raw sleeveless vest M Reference: CRTI/A00472 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2009 Material: Cott...
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
COME DES GARCONS 2001 Runway Vintage red velvet tweed deconstructed corset S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COME DES GARCONS 2001 Runway Vintage red velvet tweed deconstructed corset S Reference: CRTI/A00627 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2001 - Runway Material...
$1,152Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black felt flared collar peplum structured top
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black felt flared collar peplum structured top Reference: CRTI/A00699 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Woo...
$528Sale Price|20% Off
rare COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 2004 Runway crystals felt balls sheer vest S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 2004 Runway crystals felt balls sheer vest S Reference: CRTI/A00688 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Runway Material: Feels ...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s navy blue pinstripe wool boxy baseball shirt S
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s navy blue pinstripe wool boxy baseball shirt S Reference: CRTI/A00391 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool...
$512Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black linen square shorter back loose top S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black linen square shorter back loose top S Reference: CRTI/A00623 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Linen, ...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage blue wool weave embroidered cropped top M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage blue wool weave embroidered cropped top M Reference: CRTI/A00664 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Cotton C...
$113Sale Price|43% Off
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS 2015 white deconstructed fishnet hem tshirt M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS 2015 white deconstructed fishnet hem tshirt M Reference: EDTG/A00073 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2015 Material: Cotton Co...
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 Runway black faux leather open frame cut out top XS
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 Runway black faux leather open frame cut out bateau top XS Reference: TGAS/G00069 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Fall/Winter ...
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's deconstructed wrap bias placket cutout shirt M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's deconstructed wrap bias placket cutout shirt M Reference: CRTI/A00667 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Fee...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black crinkled nylon twist back shrug jacket
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black crinkled nylon twist back shrug jacket Reference: CRTI/A00711 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Nylon...
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 Runway black PU V neck cut out fringe top S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS 2019 Runway black PU V neck cut out fringe top S Reference: TGAS/G00066 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Fall/Winter 2019 "A Gatheri...
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS 2015 white deconstructed fishnet hem tshirt M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS 2015 white deconstructed fishnet hem tshirt M Reference: EDTG/A00073 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2015 Material: Cotton Co...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1992 asymmetric scoop collar oversized shirt
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1992 asymmetric scoop collar oversized shirt Reference: CRTI/A00332 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Cotton Color: Black Pattern: S...
$1,152Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage white frayed seams patchwork boxy sweater top M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage white frayed seams patchwork boxy sweater top M Reference: CRTI/A00665 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Co...
COMME DES GARCONS 1993 Vintage black voluminous shrug Cindy Sherman
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1993 Vintage black voluminous shrug Cindy Sherman Reference: CRTI/A00714 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1993 - Runway As seen on: Cindy...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black asymmetric tiered flared tie back shirt M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black asymmetric tiered flared tie back shirt M Reference: CRTI/A00376 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Cotton Color: Black P...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black waterfall draped chandelier jewel shirt
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black waterfall draped chandelier jewel shirt Reference: CRTI/A00738 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s As seen on: Si...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black felt flared collar peplum structured top
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black felt flared collar peplum structured top Reference: CRTI/A00699 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Woo...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s navy blue pinstripe wool boxy baseball shirt S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s navy blue pinstripe wool boxy baseball shirt S Reference: CRTI/A00391 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool...
COMME DS GARCONS Vintage navy blue terry cotton angular cut armhole zip top M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DS GARCONS Vintage navy blue terry cotton angular cut armhole zip top M Reference: CRTI/A00517 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Cotton Color: Blue Patt...
$2,016Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black waterfall draped chandelier jewel shirt
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black waterfall draped chandelier jewel shirt Reference: CRTI/A00738 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Coll...
rare COMME DES GARCONS Vintage white linen floral web embroidery crop top S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS Vintage white linen floral web embroidery crop top S Reference: CRTI/A00666 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Cotton, Linen Color: Crea...
$424Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage brown blue striped linen boxy fit shirt S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage brown blue striped linen boxy fit shirt S Reference: CRTI/A00622 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Linen Color: Brown, Blue Pattern:...
$990Sale Price|25% Off
rare COMME DES GARCONS Vintage white linen floral web embroidery crop top S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare COMME DES GARCONS Vintage white linen floral web embroidery crop top S Reference: CRTI/A00666 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo...
$360Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1997 Lumps Bumps brown nylon blend crew neck knit cropped top
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1997 Lumps Bumps brown nylon blend crew neck knit cropped top Reference: CRTI/A00734 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1997 Material: Nylo...
$1,008Sale Price|30% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage green checked wrap front draped vest top S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage green checked wrap front draped vest top S Reference: CRTI/A00668 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Feels like cotton Color: ...