Met Gala 2017 Honoree Rei Kawakubo: 7 Facts to Know
The theme of this year's Met Gala and Costume Institute Exhibit is Rei Kawakubo, founder and designer of fashion house Comme des Garçons. It will be the first show focusing on a single living designer since Yves Saint Laurent in 1983, and only the second in history — she and Saint Laurent standing in a class all their own. Perhaps ironically, though, their designs couldn't be more different from one another. Called "one of the most important and influential designers of the past forty years” by the Costume Institute’s curator Andrew Bolton, there is much to learn about this iconic designer who forces us to constantly put into perspective what we think we know about fashion. Here is everything you need to know about Rei Kawakubo before Monday night's Met Gala.
Melodie Jeng1/8Rei Kawakubo was born in Tokyo in 1942. Though she was not formally trained as a fashion designer, she studied fine arts at Keio University.
Catwalking2/8In roughly 1969, Kawakubo began designing clothing under the label Comme des Garçons, officially incorporating the label in 1973. Her first brick-and-mortar store opened in 1975, however she did not hold her first runway show until 1981.
Catwalking3/8From her very first collection, Kawakubo established herself as someone who defied conventions: Her silhouettes were dramatically overstated and unlike any other, focusing more on the art than the ease of wear.
Chris Moore/Catwalking4/8While Kawakubo’s earlier collections were designed mainly of black hues, more recent runways have boasted everything from bold florals to contrasting colorful brights.
David M. Benett5/8Kawakubo established the well-known Dover Street Market in 2004 with husband Adrian Joffe. Originally only on London’s Dover Street, they have since opened up locations in Tokyo, New York, and Beijing. DSM is known for not only stocking plenty of Comme des Garçons, but also many other international labels—small and large—with similar artistic and whimsical sentiments.
Catwalking6/8The Metropolitan Museum's exhibit will feature roughly 150 looks from the designer's collections, from her first 1981 runway to today. The museum currently plans to keep it open to the public between May 4 and October 4.
Melodie Jeng7/8Kawakubo was very involved in the design of the exhibit, ensuring that the experience is a true reflection of her creative vision.
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