Comme des Garçons (also known as CDG) is a Japanese fashion label based in Paris founded by Rei Kawakubo. Its French flagship store is located in Paris. The brand has physical retail stores in London, Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York City and in the Ginza district of Tokyo. Other than fashion, the label has expanded to include jewelry and perfume (under the brand Comme des Garçons Parfums).
The company features its main collections during Paris Fashion Week and Paris Men's Fashion Week. In 2017, it was reported that the company and its affiliates generated a revenue "of over $280 million a year".
History
The label was started in Tokyo by Rei Kawakubo in 1969 and established as a company in 1973. It is written in Japanese as コム・デ・ギャルソン (Komu de Gyaruson). The name translates as "like boys" in French. The brand's name was inspired by Françoise Hardy's 1962 song "Tous les garçons et les filles", particularly from the line "Comme les garçons et les filles de mon âge." The brand became successful in Japan in the 1970s and a menswear line was added in 1978. In 1981, the company had a debut show in Paris. Kawakubo's heavy use of black distressed fabrics, and unfinished seams were viewed negatively by French critics.
Throughout the 1980s, its clothes often were associated with a distressed and punk-oriented style. In 1982, Kawakubo's collection "Destroy" was heavily criticised. Women's Wear Daily called it the "Hiroshima bag lady look", and the Associated Press proclaimed Kawakubo the "high priestess of the Jap wrap". Unusual styles continued through the 1990s, many of which were disliked by experts.
In 1993, the company created its perfume line, Comme Des Garçons Parfums
In 2004, the company split its business into handmade garments produced in France, and non-handmade garments in Japan, Spain and Turkey. The product line Play, the most recognizable and mainstream Comme des Garçons casual luxury line, is largely produced in Japan, Spain, and Turkey, while some of its products are also made in France.
Comme des Garçons lines
Designed by Rei Kawakubo
Comme des Garçons – main womenswear line (since 1969) Comme des Garçons Noir – black-dominated womenswear collection (since 1987) Comme des Garçons Comme Des Garçons – (also referred to as 'Comme Comme') womenswear (since 1993) Comme des Garçons Homme Plus – main menswear line (since 1984) Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Sport – sport wear oriented 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 – collection featuring mostly shirts (since 1988) Comme des Garçons Shirt Girl Comme des Garçons Shirt Boy (since 2014, discontinued 2019) Comme des Garçons Girl (since 2015) Play Comme des Garçons – casual streetwear for younger men and women, featuring a bug-eyed logo (collaboration with New York City graphic artist Filip Pagowski) BLACK Comme des Garçons – unisex, lower-priced line, initially started due to the recession in 2008. Many products from this line were sold in pop-up shops.
Designed by Junya Watanabe
Comme des Garçons Homme – menswear Japanese line (since 1978) Comme des Garçons Robe de Chambre – womenswear 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 (launched 2005, discontinued after spring 2011) Tricot Comme des Garçons – womenswear knits
Designed by Fumito Ganryu
Ganryu Comme des Garçons – asexual street style label, Ganryu was a former pattern-maker at Junya Watanabe
Designed by Kei Ninomiya
Noir Kei Ninomiya – womenswear (launched in 2013), Ninomiya was a former pattern-maker at CdG
Accessories
Comme des Garçons Edited – special items for Edited shops in Japan
Comme des Garçons Pearl – jewelry (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) Hammerthor Comme des Garçons Shirt – underwear collaboration (since 2007)
Others
Comme des Garçons Peggy Moffitt
Comme des Garçons Six – bi-annual magazine (from 1988 to 1991)
Perfume
The company also produces a line of agendered fragrances, most of which are unconventional in the world of perfume and aligned with the styles of its garments.