Comme des Garçons 2157671 225679982 2008-07-14T21:35:05Z 67.70.70.76 /* Fashion */ {{Infobox Company | name = Comme des Garçons | logo = [[Image:CommeDesGarcons.jpg|200px|Comme des Garçons]] | type = Private Company | slogan = | foundation = [[1969]] | location = [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] | key_people = [[Rei Kawakubo]], founder & owner<br>[[Junya Watanabe]]<br>[[Tao Kurihara]]<br>[[Adrian Joffe]] | num_employees = 200 est. (2007) | industry = [[Fashion]] | products = [[Apparel]], [[Accessories]] and [[Perfumes]] | net_income = {{profit}} [[United States Dollar|US]] $180 million (2007) | operating profit = | homepage = [http://www.doverstreetmarket.com www.doverstreetmarket.com] }} {{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}} '''Comme des Garçons''', French for "like boys", is a [[Japan]]ese fashion label headed by [[Rei Kawakubo]], who is also its sole owner. Comme des Garçons has a dozen boutiques and approximately 200 vendors around the world, with flagship stores in [[Aoyama, Tokyo|Aoyama]], [[Tokyo]]'s high fashion district, as well as [[Place Vendôme]] in [[Paris]]. Each year, the company grosses in the neighborhood of $150 million. ==History== The label was started in [[Tokyo]] by [[Rei Kawakubo]] in 1969<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E5DF1E39F937A15751C0A96E9C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all The New York Times: Gang of Four]</ref> and established as a company in Japan in 1973. Comme des Garçons became successful in Japan throughout the 1970s and a men's line was added in 1978. 1981 saw Comme des Garçons's debut show in Paris which created a storm of controversy for its predominant use of black and distressed fabrics.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/2004/style/020904/power/9.html Time magazine: Women in fashion - Rei Kawakubo]</ref> Throughout the 1980s, Comme des Garçons's clothes were often monochromatic, asymmetrical and draped over the body. Tears, holes and frayed edges were also a feature. Comme des Garçons (along with [[Yohji Yamamoto]] and [[Issey Miyake]] ) attacked established notions that clothing had to be sexy, colourful and beautiful. Throughout the remainder of the 1980s Comme Des Garçons collections incorporated more colour and fabrics. After the Paris debut, Comme des Garçons had an exhibition at the [[Centre Georges Pompidou]] in Paris in 1986 consisting of photographs taken by [[Peter Lindbergh]].<ref>[http://www.peterlindbergh.net/exhibitions.html#1986 "Peter Lindbergh for Comme des Garçons"]</ref> 2005 saw an exhibition in [[Shinjuku, Tokyo|Shinjuku]], Tokyo of Comme Des Garçons advertising and graphic design.<ref>[http://www.pingmag.jp/2005/08/31/an-exhibition-of-comme-des-garcons/ PinMag: An exhibition of Comme des Garcons]</ref> ==Fashion== [[Image:CdG.JPG|thumb|Aoyama Store.]] Comme des Garçons collections are designed in the Comme des Garçons studio in [[Aoyama, Tokyo]] and are made in Japan, France and Turkey. The 1997 spring/summer collection, often referred to the 'lumps and bumps' collection "that made the wearer look deformed"<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19981007/ai_n14195713 The Independent: Fashion - The frock of the new]</ref>, was a much talked about show in Paris that season. It featured predominately tight tops and skirts that were swollen by goosedown-filled lumps which distorted the body shape. This led to a collaboration, also in 1997, between [[Rei Kawakubo]] and New York-based choreographer [[Merce Cunningham]] called 'Scenario'. The 2006 autumn/winter collection dealt with the concept of the 'persona',<ref>[http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/F2006RTW/review/CMMEGRNS style.com: Comme des Garcons F/W 2006]</ref> the different ways we present ourselves to the world. Fusing tailored menswear with more feminine elements such as corsets and flower printed dress fabrics, 'Persona' was another collection that combined the feminine with the masculine by Comme des Garçons. [[Junya Watanabe]]<ref>[http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/junyawatanabe/ NYmag: Junya Watanabe]</ref> <ref>[http://www.fashionwindows.com/beauty/junya_watanabe/default.asp Fashion Windows: Junya Watanabe]</ref> and, as of recently, [[Tao Kurihara]]<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb337/is_200505/ai_n15162290 W: The Tao of design]</ref> <ref>[http://www.liberty.co.uk/what_s_in_store/womenswear/designer_room/343 Liberty: Designer Room]</ref> have started their own sub-labels under the Comme des Garçons name to much acclaim. Both were also involved in designing for the casual women's knitwear line 'Comme des Garçons Tricot'. Comme des Garçons have collaborated with various other labels over the years including [[Fred Perry]] <ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2003/10/10/rsport_ed3_.php Int'l Herald Tribune: Teaming up from arena to runway]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dnrnews.com/site/article.php?id=1342 DNR: Raf Simons Partners With Fred Perry]</ref>, [[Levi's]], [[Speedo]], [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Moncler]], [[Lacoste]], [[Cutler and Gross]], [[Chrome Hearts]], [[Hammerthor]], [[Louis Vuitton]] and many others. Comme des Garçons and [[H&M]] are currently collaborating on a collection which is to be released in the fall of 2008.<ref>[http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/2008-04/080403-comme-des-garcons-for-handm.aspx Vogue: Comme des Garcons for H&M]</ref> <ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/07/style/fcomme.php Int'l Herald Tribune: Rei Kawakubo and H & M: A collaboration to watch]</ref> ==Perfume== Comme des Garçons also produces a line of unisex [[perfume|fragrances]], most of which are unconventional in the world of perfume, in the same spirit as the label's garments.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/15/style/FPERFUME.php Int'l Herald Tribune: Comme des Garçons builds niche perfume empire]</ref> They released their first fragrance 'Comme Des Garçons' in 1994.<ref>[http://hypebeast.com/2007/03/comme-des-garcons-perfume/ hypebeast: Comme des Garcons Perfume]</ref> 1998 saw the release of Comme des Garçons's first "'anti-perfume' Odeur 53",<ref>[http://www.wallpaper.com/beauty/new-comme-des-garcons-perfume/2338 Wallpaper: New Comme des Garcons perfume]</ref> a blending 53 non-traditional notes to create a modern and striking scent.<ref>[http://theconveyorbelt.com/index.php/archives/234 The Conveyor Belt: Comme des Garçons]</ref> Some of these notes being: oxygen, flash of metal, washing drying in the wind, mineral carbon, sand dunes, nail polish, cellulose, pure air of the high mountains, burnt rubber and flaming rock. 2000 saw the debut of the Comme des Garçons parfums PARFUMS series. 'Series 1 - Leaves' consisted of three fragrances based on leaves such as Tea, Lily and Calamus. Mint and Shiso have been discontinued. ==Stores== Signature Comme des Garçons boutiques are located in [[London]] ([[Dover Street Market]]), [[Paris]], [[New York City]] <ref>[http://www.future-systems.com/architecture/architecture_12.html# Future Systems: Comme des Garcons]</ref>, [[Beijing]] <ref>[http://www.highsnobiety.com/home/the_daily_news/archive/2008/may/02/comme_des_garcons_beijing_flagship_store/index.htm highsnobiety: Comme des Garcons Beijing flagship store]</ref>, [[Hong Kong]] <ref>[http://hypebeast.com/2007/04/comme-des-garcons-store-2007-hong-kong/ highsnobiety: Comme des Garcons Store 2007 Hong Kong]</ref>, [[Tokyo]] (2x), [[Kyoto]], [[Osaka]] and [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]]. The company also maintains stores-in-store at select [[department stores]], such as [[Isetan]]. In [[Paris]], a Comme des Garçons perfumery can be found at 23 Place Marché St-Honoré. Comme des Garçons opened the first of their '[[Guerrilla]]' stores in 2004 in [[Berlin]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/12ANTI.html?_r=1&oref=slogin The New York Times: The Anti-Concept Concept Store]</ref> The Guerrilla stores' aim is to only be open for one year<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E1DD143DF934A25751C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all The New York Times: A Store Made for Right Now: You Shop Until It's Dropped]</ref> and to spend a minimal amount of money on the interiors.<ref>[http://archimedespool.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/guerrilla-store/ Archimedes Pool: Guerrilla Store by COMME des GARÇONS]</ref> The stores are also to be located away from fashionable hubs and districts of a city. Comme des Garçons Guerrilla stores have been opened (and subsequently closed) in Reykjavik, Warsaw, Helsinki, Singapore, Stockholm and Athens, amongst others. In July 2007, a Guerrilla Store opened in the Achrafieh district of Beirut, Lebanon, and in February 2008, a Guerrilla Store opened in downtown Los Angeles, the first in the United States.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/17/image/ig-comme17 Los Angeles Times: A hip hideaway]</ref> 2004 saw the opening of [[Dover Street Market]] (DSM)<ref>[http://www.iconeye.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2685:dover-street-market--icon-017--november-2004 icon eye: Dover Street Market]</ref> in [[London]].<ref>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1316699,00.html The Observer: Shabby chic]</ref> A multilevel store conceptualised by [[Rei Kawakubo]]. As well as selling Comme Des Garçons lines, other designers are personally invited and "accorded 'creative spaces'"<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_20070915/ai_n21032331 The Spectator: Fashion dressed as art]</ref> by [[Rei Kawakubo]] to open a section of the store and design it in any way they wish while often selling limited edition pieces made only for DSM. On 31 March 2007, Comme des Garçons opened a 3 level store in [[Hong Kong]] called WHITE BOX. Hong Kong also has had a Guerrilla store opened and closed in previous years.<ref>[http://hypebeast.com/2007/03/comme-des-garcons-hong-kong-2/ hypebeast: Comme des Garcons Hong Kong]</ref> ==Comme Des Garçons lines== designed by [[Rei Kawakubo]]: * Comme des Garçons - main women's line (since 1973) * Comme des Garçons Noir - black-dominated women's collection (since 1987) * Comme des Garçons Comme Des Garçons - (aka 'Comme Comme') womenswear (since 1993) * Comme des Garçons Homme Plus - main men's line (since 1984) * Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Sport - sporty subline of Homme Plus * Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Evergreen - subline of Homme Plus, re-invented items from past collections (since 2005) * Comme des Garçons Homme Deux - formal tailored menswear (since 1987) * Comme des Garçons SHIRT - shirt-dominated collection (since 1988) * Play Comme des Garçons - younger men's and women's casual streetwear with bug-eyed heart logo (collaboration with [[New York]] graphic artist Filip Pagowski designed by [[Junya Watanabe]]: * Comme des Garçons Homme - men's Japanese line (since 1978) * Comme des Garçons Robe de Chambre - women Japanese line (discontinued) * Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons - womenswear (since 1992) * Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons Man - menswear (since 2001) * Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons Man Pink - menswear items for women (discontinued) designed by Tao Kurihara: * Tao Comme des Garçons - womenswear (sine 2005) * Tricot Comme des Garçons -women's knitwear accessories: * Comme des Garçons Edited - special items for Edited shops in Japan * Comme des Garçons Pearl - jewellery (since 2006) * Comme des Garçons Parfum (since 1994) * Comme des Garçons Parfum Parfum * Comme des Garçons Wallet * Speedo Comme des Garçons - swimwear collaboration (since 2005) others: * Ganryu Comme des Garçons - women's street style label designed by Fumito Ganryu, a former patternmaker at Junya * Comme des Garçons Peggy Moffitt * Comme des Garçons Six - bi-annual magazine (from 1988 to 1991) * design collaborations with mainstream brands: [[Levi's]], [[Lacoste]], [[Fred Perry]], [[The North Face]], [[Nike, Inc.]], [[Moncler]], Chrome Hearts, 10.Corso.Como, KAWS etc.) == References == {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.doverstreetmarket.com/ Dover Street Market - Comme des Garçons London store official web site] *[http://www.guerrilla-store.com/ Comme des Garçons Guerrilla Stores official web site] *[http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1259/commelargemc5.jpg Overview of the CDG 'universe', published by Rei Kawakubo in The New York Times on August 28, 2005] *[http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/catwalk-report/id,6033 Comme des Garçons women's F/W 2008 collection] *[http://men.style.com/fashion/collections/F2008MEN/review/CDGMEN Comme des Garçons Homme Plus men's F/W 2008 collection] *[http://www.doverstreetmarket.com/dsmpaper/08_spring_summer/cdghommedeux.html Comme des Garçons Homme Deux men's S/S 2008 collection] *[http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/F2008RTW/review/JNWATNBE Junya Watanabe women's F/W 2008 collection] *[http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2008/fall/main/europe/menrunway/junyawatanabe/ Junya Watanabe Man men's F/W 2008 collection] *[http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/F2008RTW/review/TAO Tao F/W 2008 collection by Tao Kurihara] *[http://www.basenotes.net/house/100202 Comme des Garçons fragrances at Basenotes] *[http://www.filippagowski.com/textile/textile.html Filip Pagowski home page] [[Category:Clothing brands of Japan]] [[Category:High fashion brands]] [[Category:Perfume houses]] [[de:Comme des Garçons]] [[ja:コム・デ・ギャルソン]] [[sv:Commes des Garçons]]