Comme des Garçons

Rei Kawakubo launched Comme des Garçons in Japan in 1969. Kawakubo studied art and literature, not fashion, and produces clothes more like an artist than a fashion designer, creating pieces that are as influential as they are divisive. Kawakubo appeared to Japan and the world in the 1970s, after launching her womenswear and menswear lines and opening her first store in Tokyo. Since then, she has influenced Martin Margiela and Helmut Lang, and incubated the careers of Junya Watanabe and Tao Kurihara. Comme des Garçons has collaborated with brands including Nike, Supreme, and Converse.