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Miyake is best known for his PLEATS PLEASE and HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE diffusion lines, as well as a flagship brand that explores some of the designer’s more experimental efforts. From his staff essentials to the grail-worthy Oil Slick parachute coat, his frequent use of drapes to cover up like a cape, and of course, pleats, Miyake leaves behind an incredible fashion legacy that changed the way we see clothes.
Miyake was born in Hiroshima Prefecture and later studied graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo before moving to Paris in 1965 to enroll at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne tailoring and dressmaking school.
The legendary designer worked for four years behind the scenes with teams from Guy Laroche, Hubert de Givenchy, and Geoffrey Beene, and in 1973 Miyake was exhibiting his work at a Paris group fashion show, presenting one of the most fundamental components of his aesthetic. : Layers, wraps, and pleats within garments.
His work transcended trends and gender roles, exploring fluidity and structure through innovative methods, something Hypebeast learned more about when we spoke to the brand about their HOMME PLISSÉ pieces.
Miyake’s work was a true avant-garde. In 2006, he was the first fashion designer to win the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy for lifetime achievement. His collections were brought together in 2016 for an exhibition at the National Art Center in Tokyo and various archives and personal documents. A curious fact is that this designer of leading creations is the mind behind Steve Jobs’ iconic black turtleneck.
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Creative commons, El Clarín.
