Fashion is a way for people to express who they are, and some brands change the way we think about clothes. One of the most important brands that has changed women’s fashion is comme des garcons. Started by Rei Kawakubo in Japan in 1969, comme des garcons is known for its bold, artistic, and unusual designs. Over the years, the brand has made a big impact on how women dress and how fashion works around the world. In this blog post, we will explore the influence of comme des garcons on women’s fashion and why it is still so important today.
Breaking the Rules of Fashion
When comme des garcons started, most women’s clothes were about looking pretty, elegant, and fitting the body in a certain way. Dresses and skirts were tight or carefully shaped to show curves. Then came Rei Kawakubo with her idea that clothes don’t have to be perfect or follow those rules.
Unusual Shapes: Comme des garcons designs often use big, loose, or uneven shapes that don’t fit the body the “normal” way. For example, jackets or dresses might have big puffed parts or be longer on one side.
Asymmetry: Many designs are not the same on both sides. This means one sleeve might be longer, or one side of a dress can be shorter than the other. This made women’s fashion more creative and less strict.
Dark and Bold Colors: Instead of soft colors, comme des garcons mostly uses black and other dark colors. This was different and showed strength and power in women’s clothes.
Challenge to Beauty: Rei Kawakubo showed that clothes don’t have to make women look traditionally “beautiful” to be great. Instead, fashion could be art and express feelings.
Empowering Women Through Fashion
Comme des garcons has helped many women feel strong and confident by changing how clothes fit and look.
Comfort and Freedom: Loose and flowing clothes mean women can move freely and comfortably, which is important for everyday life.
Redefining Femininity: The brand shows that femininity is not just about being delicate or soft. Women can look powerful, mysterious, or even a little strange and still feel beautiful.
Self-Expression: Wearing comme des garcons allows women to show their unique personalities and not just follow whatever is popular.
Inspiring Other Designers
Rei Kawakubo’s designs inspired many other fashion designers to be more creative and brave in their work.
New Ideas: Designers began to think about clothes as art, not just functional items.
Experimenting with Shape and Form: Many designers started using asymmetry, oversized clothing, and unusual materials.
Breaking Gender Norms: Comme des garcons helped blur the lines between men’s and women’s fashion. Designers began making clothes that anyone could wear, no matter gender.
Changing Fashion Shows and Industry
Comme des garcons changed not only clothes but also how fashion shows looked.
Art and Performance: Kawakubo’s shows were like art performances, with models walking in strange ways and music that created emotions.
No Rules in Presenting Clothes: Unlike traditional fashion shows, comme des garcons shows didn’t focus just on selling clothes but on storytelling and ideas.
Influence on Global Fashion: Many big fashion cities like Paris and New York started paying attention to these artistic shows and changed their own fashion weeks.
Popularizing Minimalism and Avant-Garde Styles
Comme des garcons helped popularize two important fashion ideas:
Minimalism: Simple colors and shapes that still look strong.
Avant-Garde: Fashion that is new, experimental, and sometimes shocking. This style pushes boundaries and makes people think.
Women started to wear clothes that were not just pretty but meaningful, artistic, and different.
Comme des garcons Play: Making Fashion Accessible
The Play line by comme des garcons made the brand more popular with many women worldwide.
Simple and Fun: Play uses casual T-shirts and hoodies with a cute red heart logo. It’s easy to wear but still shows the brand’s creativity.
Younger Audience: Play helped introduce comme des garcons to younger women who wanted fashionable but comfortable clothes.
Mixing High Fashion and Everyday Wear: This line proved women could wear designer clothes every day, not just on special occasions.
Impact on Gender and Fashion Norms
Comme des garcons challenged the idea that women’s fashion must be a certain way.
Unisex Clothing: Many pieces look good on anyone, regardless of gender.
Breaking Stereotypes: Women wearing like menswear or oversized clothes became more accepted.
Freedom to Choose: Women gained more freedom to decide how they want to dress, without pressure to look a certain way.
Real Women and Comme des garcons
Many women worldwide, from artists to businesswomen, choose comme des garcons because it represents strong self-expression.
Empowering Choice: Wearing comme des garcons means choosing creativity and confidence.
Community: Women who love the brand often feel part of a community that values art and uniqueness.
Timeless Fashion: Comme des garcons pieces last long because they are special, not just trendy.
Why Comme des garcons Is Still Important Today
Even after many years, comme des garcons continues to influence women’s fashion.
Always Changing: Rei Kawakubo keeps creating new designs that challenge the fashion world.
Focus on Meaning: Clothes still tell stories and express emotions.
Influence on New Generations: Young designers and women still look up to comme des garcons for inspiration.
Support for Sustainability: The brand is also working on making fashion better for the planet.
How You Can Be Inspired by Comme des garcons
If you want to bring some comme des garcons spirit into your wardrobe:
Try Loose and Asymmetrical Pieces: Don’t be afraid of clothes that don’t fit tight or look different.
Use Black and Dark Colors: They can look elegant and powerful.
Mix Styles: Combine creative pieces with your regular clothes.
Be Confident: Wear what feels right and shows your personality.
Think of Clothes as Art: Fashion can be fun and meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Comme des garcons changed women’s fashion in many important ways. From breaking old rules to inspiring new ideas, the brand opened doors for women to dress how they want and express who they are. Rei Kawakubo’s vision showed that fashion is not just about looking pretty but about creativity, feeling strong, and being yourself.
Whether you love bold designs or simple pieces, comme des garcons offers a style that empowers women and makes fashion exciting. It’s a brand that continues to influence fashion around the world and inspires women every day.
So next time you see a comme des garcons piece, remember it carries a history of change, art, and freedom for women’s fashion!
Happy styling and keep being unique!
