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.
TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage Hand Made crochet knit wool sweater
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage Hand Made crochet knit wool sweater Reference: CRTI/A00674 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool Co...
TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage Hand Made crochet knit wool sweater
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage Hand Made crochet knit wool sweater Reference: CRTI/A00674 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool Co...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage grey abstract wool intarsia wrap scarf cardigan
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage grey abstract wool intarsia wrap scarf cardigan Reference: CRTI/A00672 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wo...
$616Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black boiled wool fluffy sweater M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black boiled wool fluffy sweater M Reference: CRTI/A00673 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool Color: Blac...
$1,728Sale Price|20% Off
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage grey abstract wool intarsia wrap scarf cardigan
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage grey abstract wool intarsia wrap scarf cardigan Reference: CRTI/A00672 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wo...
COMME DES GARCONS Tricot Vintage 1980s grey intarsia checker sweater M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Tricot Vintage 1980s grey intarsia checker sweater M Reference: CRTI/A00605 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Tricot Material: Wool, Blend...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s bubble patchwork shrunken boiled wool sweater
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s bubble patchwork shrunken boiled wool sweater Reference: CRTI/A00606 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool ...
rare TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's black wool pinched bow sweater
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's black wool pinched bow sweater Reference: CRTI/A00739 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: 100% Wo...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black boiled wool fluffy sweater M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980s Vintage black boiled wool fluffy sweater M Reference: CRTI/A00673 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool Color: Blac...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top Reference: TGAS/C01694 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980's Material: Wool Color: Blue ...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top Reference: TGAS/C01694 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1...
$643Sale Price|35% Off
COMME DES GARCONS Tricot Vintage 1980s grey intarsia checker sweater M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Tricot Vintage 1980s grey intarsia checker sweater M Reference: CRTI/A00605 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Tricot Material: Wool, Blend...
$3,648Sale Price|20% Off
rare TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's black wool pinched bow sweater
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1980's black wool pinched bow sweater Reference: CRTI/A00739 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collecti...
COMME DES GARCONS wool navy grey deconstructed hybrid biker cropped cardigan S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS wool navy grey deconstructed hybrid biker cropped cardigan S Reference: CAWG/A00268 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Wool Color: Navy, Grey...
$858Sale Price|35% Off
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s bubble patchwork shrunken boiled wool sweater
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1980s bubble patchwork shrunken boiled wool sweater Reference: CRTI/A00606 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Wool ...
Hermes Sweater Loungewear Voyage Rose Petale Wool 40 / 8 New w/ Tag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Loungewear Voyage sweater featured in Rose Petale. Loungewear Voyage wool knit in the palest rose. Crewneck sweater H emb...
Black Beaded Cardigan
Located in Alford, MA
Black cardigan from the 1950s-'60s embellished with black beads and sequins. Sweater composition is lambswool, angora and nylon and has tiny spherical ...
Issey Miyake vintage circa 1970s oversized cocoon black wool cardigan
By Issey Miyake
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! We are delighted to present this stunning vintage circa 1970s Issey Miyake cocoon cardigan it is oversized/huge with a plu...
Chanel Beige Vintage Cashmere Cardigan Sweater
By Chanel
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage Chanel cashmere cardigan sweater with goldtone CC logo buttons on the front and on the working cuffs. There is one additional button sewn inside in case one gets lost. There ...
Adolfo at Saks Fifth Ave. Navy Crocheted Sweater with Rhinestones and Stars
By Adolfo, Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue
Located in New Hope, PA
How about adding a little sparkle to your wardrobe with this Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue navy blue crocheted sweater with rhinestones and white knit stars? It would be perfect for th...
Hermes Men's Hooded Sweater Gris Fonce M
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Hooded Sweater featured in Grey with Black leather detail. Gris hoodie sweatshirt has a Black Cheval au Trait lambskin patch in front. Drawstring at neck....
Printed hoodie sweat-shirt with striped ribs edge DOLCE & GABANNA
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed hoodie sweat-shirt with striped ribs edge; Main fabric composition: 100% cotton. Drawstring around the hood. SIZE 44 / L
Hermes Men's Blouson Zippe Jacket Cotton Bomber Style Zip Front 40 15 1/4 New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Hermes men's cotton Blouson Zippe bomber style jacket featured in Naturel. Jacket has front zip with logo embossed pull. Ribbed at hip and cuff. 2 side pockets. Fabric is cotton. NEW...
Hermes Men's Jacket Gray with Black Leather and Detachable Beaver Collar 48
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes limited edition men's nylon and leather off center front zip jacket featured in Greige Jacket has Black leather trim at front zip and H leather trim at cu...
HERMES beige orange cashmere 2023 BRIDES DE GALA Sweater Vest 36 XS
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermès Brides de Gala sweater in Tatami light beige and bright orange jacquard knit cashmere (63%), cotton (35%) and polyamide (2%), presenting one of the house's most...
Avant Garde 1980s Purple Fringe Top
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Amazing 1980s Car Wash Top. In fifty shades of purple! Loose open knit weave fringe top with layered strips of violet ombre gauze. Some wear on the shoulder...
2010 Christian Dior fur vest
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
2010 Christian Dior fur vest Shoulders: 36 cm / 14.17 in Underarms: 40 cm / 15.75 in Length: 48 cm / 18.90 in Details: branded buttons The vest is timeless, very stylish and beautif...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black coated deconstructed hem sweater M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black coated deconstructed hem sweater M Reference: CRTI/A00675 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1980s Material: Cotton Co...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black coated deconstructed hem sweater M
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage black coated deconstructed hem sweater M Reference: CRTI/A00675 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collectio...
COMME DES GARCONS Tricot black peterpan collar sheer panels cardigan
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Tricot black peterpan collar sheer panels cardigan Reference: AEHI/A00004 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: Tricot Material: Feels like wo...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top
By Comme des Garcons Homme, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top Reference: TGAS/C01694 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1...
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS Ever Green Pink Panther black sweater M
By Comme des Garcons Homme, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS Ever Green Pink Panther black sweater M Reference: ANWU/A00718 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Feels like wool Color: Black, Pi...
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS Ever Green Pink Panther black sweater M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS HOMME PLUS Ever Green Pink Panther black sweater M Reference: ANWU/A00718 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Feels like wool Color: Black, Pi...
TAO COMME DES GARCONS 2008 Pelisse Captain silver braid grey wool cardigan M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
TAO COMME DES GARCONS 2008 Pelisse Captain silver braid grey wool cardigan M Reference: MELK/A00054 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 2008 Material: Wool Co...
COMME DES GARCONS 100% wool navy deconstructed hybrid biker cropped cardigan S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 100% wool navy grey deconstructed hybrid biker cropped cardigan S Reference: CAWG/A00268 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Material: Wool Color: Navy,...
vintage TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS 1980's beige patterned rolled hem sweater
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage TRICOT COMME DES GARCONS 1980's beige patterned rolled hem sweater Reference: CRTI/A00263 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Model: O...
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1989 black acrylic holey crochet open knit sweater S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage COMME DES GARCONS 1989 black acrylic holey crochet open knit sweater S Reference: CRTI/A00259 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Model: Crochet sweater Collectio...
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS 1980's Vintage navy wool patchwork sweater top Reference: TGAS/C01694 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collecti...
2012 COMME DES GARCONS off-white lace jacket with knit flower detail
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Off-white long lace jacket with cream knit flower detail designed by Rei Kawakubo for Comme Des Garcons dating to spring of 2012. Size 'S'. Best fits a size XS. Approximate measureme...