The Radical Pleasure of Fashion That Makes You Feel Comfortable
The Radical Pleasure of Fashion That Makes You Feel Comfortable
Blog Article
Fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a form of self-expression, a way to communicate who we are without saying a word. But what happens when fashion transcends the visual and becomes something we feel? What happens when clothing isn’t just about how it looks but how it makes us feel in our own skin? This is where the radical pleasure of fashion lies: in the intersection of comfort, self-expression, and individuality. And no brand embodies this philosophy more profoundly than Comme des Garcons.
Founded by the visionary Rei Kawakubo in 1969, Comme des Garcons (which translates to “like the boys” in French) has consistently challenged the status quo of fashion. From its avant-garde designs to its unconventional approach to wearability, the brand has redefined what it means to create clothing that is both thought-provoking and deeply personal. But perhaps its most radical contribution to the world of fashion is its ability to make comfort feel revolutionary.
The History of Comme des Garçons: A Legacy of Innovation
Comme des Garcons was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1969, during a time when the global fashion landscape was dominated by Western designers. Rei Kawakubo, the brand’s founder and creative force, had no formal training in fashion design. Instead, she studied fine arts and literature, which gave her a unique perspective on creativity and self-expression.
Kawakubo initially worked in the advertising department of a textile company, where she began designing clothing on the side. Dissatisfied with the lack of originality in the fashion industry, she decided to launch her own brand. *Comme des Garçons* started as a women’s label, but its androgynous name hinted at Kawakubo’s desire to challenge traditional gender norms in fashion.https://comme-des-garcon.com/
The brand gained international recognition in the early 1980s when Kawakubo presented her collection in Paris. Her designs, characterized by their monochromatic palette, oversized silhouettes, and deconstructed elements, were unlike anything the fashion world had seen before. Critics dubbed her work “Hiroshima Chic” for its raw, almost dystopian aesthetic, but Kawakubo’s vision was never about shock value—it was about redefining beauty and comfort.
Over the decades, Comme des Garcons has expanded its offerings to include multiple lines, such as Comme des Garçons Homme, Comme des Garçons Play, and Comme des Garcon Noir. Each line reflects Kawakubo’s commitment to innovation, individuality, and the radical pleasure of fashion.
Rei Kawakubo: The Visionary Behind the Brand
Rei Kawakubo is often described as one of the most influential designers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Her work has been compared to art, and she has been celebrated for her ability to challenge conventional notions of beauty, fit, and functionality.
Kawakubo’s design philosophy is rooted in the idea of “anti-fashion.” She rejects the idea that clothing must conform to societal expectations or follow trends. Instead, she creates pieces that provoke thought, challenge assumptions, and inspire new ways of seeing. Her designs often explore the space between boundaries—between masculine and feminine, between art and fashion, between comfort and discomfort.
One of Kawakubo’s most famous collections, “Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body” (also known as the “lumps and bumps” collection), debuted in 1997. The collection featured distorted silhouettes created by padding placed in unconventional areas of the body. At first glance, the designs were shocking, but they offered a surprising sense of comfort and freedom. This collection perfectly encapsulates Kawakubo’s ability to merge radical design with wearability.
Kawakubo’s influence extends far beyond her own brand. She has mentored and inspired countless designers, including Junya Watanabe and Tao Kurihara, who have gone on to make their own marks on the fashion world. In 2017, Kawakubo became only the second living designer to be honored with a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, cementing her status as a true icon of fashion.
Iconic Collaborations: Pushing Boundaries Together
One of the hallmarks of Comme des Garcons is its willingness to collaborate with other brands and artists, creating pieces that push the boundaries of fashion even further. These collaborations have not only expanded the brand’s reach but also reinforced its commitment to innovation and individuality.
One of the most notable collaborations is with Nike. The Comme des Garcons x Nike partnership has produced a series of sneakers that combine Kawakubo’s avant-garde aesthetic with Nike’s technical expertise. The result is footwear that is both visually striking and incredibly comfortable, embodying the brand’s philosophy of radical pleasure.
Another iconic collaboration is with Converse. The Comme des Garçons x Converse collection features the classic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker reimagined with bold patterns, unexpected materials, and Kawakubo’s signature playfulness. These designs have become cult favorites, beloved by fashion enthusiasts and sneakerheads alike.
Comme des Garçons has also collaborated with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and copyright, as well as artists like Damien Hirst and Pharrell Williams. Each collaboration reflects Kawakubo’s ability to merge her unique vision with the strengths of her partners, creating pieces that are both innovative and deeply personal.
Comfort as a Radical Act of Self-Expression
In a world that often equates comfort with simplicity or even invisibility, Comme des Garçons dares to ask: why can’t comfort be bold? Why can’t it be daring, complex, and deeply expressive? For Rei Kawakubo, comfort isn’t about blending in or conforming to societal expectations. It’s about creating clothing that allows the wearer to feel truly themselves—whether that means embracing asymmetry, playing with proportion, or experimenting with unconventional materials.
Take, for example, the brand’s iconic oversized silhouettes. These designs aren’t just a statement about volume or shape; they’re an invitation to move freely, to feel unconstrained by the limitations of traditional tailoring. Similarly, the brand’s use of asymmetrical cuts and deconstructed elements challenges the idea that comfort must come from symmetry or predictability. Instead, Comme des Garçons offers a different kind of comfort—one that comes from embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the unconventional.
This approach to comfort is radical because it rejects the notion that fashion must be either functional or artistic. For Comme des Garçons, the two are inseparable. The brand’s designs are undeniably avant-garde, yet they never sacrifice wearability. Each piece is crafted with the wearer in mind, offering a sense of ease and freedom that belies its artistic complexity.
Conclusion: Embrace the Radical Pleasure
Fashion that makes you feel comfortable isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement. It’s a celebration of individuality, a rejection of conformity, and a radical act of self-love. And when it comes to embodying this ethos, few brands do it as boldly and beautifully as *Comme des Garçons*.
The next time you’re choosing an outfit, ask yourself: does it make you feel comfortable? Does it make you feel like you? If the answer is yes, then you’ve found something truly radical. Because true comfort isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out. It’s about embracing the unexpected, finding joy in the unconventional, and experiencing the radical pleasure of wearing something that feels uniquely yours.
Comme des Garcons reminds us that fashion is not just about what we wear; it’s about how we feel when we wear it. And in a world that often prioritizes appearance over authenticity, that reminder is nothing short of revolutionary.