KCI Digital Archive

THE KYOTO COSTUME INSTITUTE

Collections 1980s

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©The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

Sweater and Skirt

Autumn/Winter 1983

Designer: 
Rei Kawakubo
Brand: 
Comme des Garçons
Label: 
tricot COMME des GARÇONS (sweater), COMME des GARÇONS (skirt)
Material: 
Off-white wool garter-stitch knit sweater, rib-knit at hem; off-white wool jersey skirt.
Credit: 
Gift of Comme des Garçons Co., Ltd.

A piece of Rei Kawakubo which drew attention of the Western to the Japanese Fashion. The seemingly complex form of the sweater was created essentially from one straight panel, and has a dynamic voluminous look. The large sleeves spreading to the left and right resemble kimono sleeves. The skirt sags asymmetrically in response to the irregular shapes created by the loosely hanging sweater.
At the beginning of the 1980s, Kawakubo received a mixed response in Paris to designs that challenged existing aesthetic values in the Western countries due to their achromaticity, loose fit, asymmetry and deliberately-created holes and tears. Nevertheless, she has maintained a consistent attitude of defying stereotypes in dress designing ever since.

Inventory Number(s): AC7842 93-24-5AB