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.
Yohji Yamamoto 1980s Women's Black Wool Pleated Bermuda Shorts S
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of black wool Bermuda shorts by Yohji Yamamoto. The shorts are double pleated at the front with side and back pockets. Two darts on either side of the back give the piece str...
MIU MIU black wool & mohair 2017 PLEATED MINI Shorts Pants 42 M
By Miu Miu
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Miu Miu pleated shorts in black wool (84%) and mohair (16%). Feature two slant side pockets and belt loops. Close with a concealed hook a...
SAINT LAURENT black leather 2018 PLEATED Shorts Pants 38 S
By Saint Laurent
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Saint Laurent shorts are crafted in supple black grained lambskin leather. Designed with a chic high-waisted silhouette, they feature wide legs with mini length,...
Chanel Spring 2012 Black Silk Pleated Shorts FR 38 (US 6)
By Chanel
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Chanel Spring 2012 Black Silk Pleated Shorts FR 38 (US 6) From Chanel’s Spring 2012 collection (Style P42712), these tailored black silk shorts embody the house’s signature balance of elegance and comfort. Crafted in 100% silk, the fluid drape and front pleats create the illusion of a skirt while offering the practicality of shorts. A refined black textured button at the waist completes the design. • Made in France • Fabric: 100% silk • Color: Classic black • Closure: Hidden zip with button fastening • Size: FR 38 (fits US 6 approx.) • Measurements Approx: Waist 13.5” Hip 20” Rise 13.25” Inseam 5.5” Thigh 14” • Condition: Very good pre-owned. Minor snag at back waistline (documented in photos). These shorts offer versatility for day-to-night styling—pair with a Chanel tweed jacket, silk blouse, or minimalist tank. A collectible runway-era piece for Chanel enthusiasts. Tags: Chanel silk shorts, Chanel skort, Chanel Spring 2012, vintage Chanel bottoms...
CHANEL black viscose 2020 20A 31 RUE CAMBON STRIPED KNIT Shorts Pants 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel striped knit shorts in black, blue and white viscose (53%), polyamide (28%) and polyester (19%) with an elastic band. Has a black 'CC' emblem at the front. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excellent condition 2020 Paris...
Comme des Garçons Long Drawstring Shorts
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
These indigo shorts offer all of the creature comforts: longer length, cotton, elasticized waist, drawstring and two oversized back pockets. What more could you ask from vintage Comm...
Saint Laurent Black Leather Elastic Waist Shorts Sz.36/S
By Saint Laurent
Located in Krakow, PL
Elevate your wardrobe with these chic Saint Laurent leather shorts! These shorts are crafted from 100% genuine leather and lined with a l...
S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Sheer Black Fan Pleated Silk Pencil Skirt IT40
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2004 collection by Tom Ford, this black silk pencil skirt features layered fan pleating and an asymmetrical flare hem. A variation without lining debuted a...
2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Silk Chiffon Sheer Skirt IT44
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful black chiffon Gucci skirt, designed by Tom Ford. From 2002, this skirt is draped in light layers of chiffon that sway with every movement. Size - IT44 Waist...
$300
Size: marked 3; comparable to S-M
New Japanese Avant Garde Black Nylon Parachute Bubble Midi Skirt – S-M, 2018
Located in Tucson, AZ
A rare example of a woven from husband-and-wife team Masaki and Kyoko Sato, this skirt is a departure from the couple’s exquisitely spun wool and knitwear. Borrowing heavily from th...
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1990 black sheer nylon drawstring padded puffy skirt M
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
COMME DES GARCONS Vintage 1990 black sheer nylon drawstring padded puffy skirt M Reference: CRTI/A00561 Brand: Comme Des Garcons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection: 1990 Material: Nyl...
ISSEY MIYAKE Pleats Please black plisse ruched semi-sheer culotte shorts JP2 M
By Issey Miyake
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ISSEY MIYAKE Pleats Please black plisse ruched sides semi-sheer culotte shorts JP2 M Reference: VYNG/A00012 Brand: Issey Miyake Model: Pleats Please Material: Polyester Color: Black ...
MARNI black 100% virgin wool drop crotch harem knee shorts IT38 XS
By Marni
Located in Hong Kong, NT
MARNI black 100% virgin wool drop crotch harem knee shorts IT38 XS Reference: NKLL/A00599 Brand: Marni Material: Virgin Wool Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Fly Made in: Ita...
LOULOU STUDIO black oversized tulle flower high waisted cuffed shorts XS
Located in Hong Kong, NT
LOULOU STUDIO black oversized tulle flower high waisted cuffed shorts XS Reference: AAWC/A00872 Brand: Loulou Material: Polyester, Blend Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Fly ...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN black virgin wool asymmetric cascade wide shorts IT38 XS
By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN black virgin wool asymmetric cascade wide shorts IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A00879 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Material: Virgin Wool Color: Black P...
DRIES VAN NOTEN black 100% silk sheer high waist knee skirt FR36 S
By Dries van Noten
Located in Hong Kong, NT
DRIES VAN NOTEN black 100% silk sheer high waist knee skirt FR36 S Reference: TGAS/F00290 Brand: Dries Van Noten Material: Silk Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Elasticated Made ...
