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Introduction: A Vision Beyond Fashion

Comme des Garçons, the avant-garde Japanese fashion label founded by Rei Kawakubo in 1969, has long been known not just for its garments but for its revolutionary approach to fashion         Commes Des Garcon             as an art form. With every runway show, Kawakubo dismantles expectations and reconstructs new narratives—ones that speak to the abstract, the emotional, and the provocatively intellectual. These shows are not merely events on the fashion calendar; they are immersive experiences that demand contemplation. But what happens behind the scenes to create these legendary moments? The world rarely gets to see the meticulous thought, planning, and chaos that goes into bringing Kawakubo’s visions to life. This is a look behind the curtain.

The Creative Process: Rei Kawakubo’s Inner World

Unlike many designers who begin with trends or market research, Kawakubo’s starting point is often a concept—abstract, philosophical, and deeply personal. Each collection begins with a single idea, whether it be “the absence of clothes,” “invisible architecture,” or “broken bridal.” These themes are explored not only in the design of the clothes but in every aspect of the show, from soundscapes to casting, and even the audience seating arrangement.

Kawakubo rarely sketches in the traditional sense. Her creative process is tactile and experimental. Fabrics are manipulated by hand, twisted, stuffed, slashed, or stitched into unfamiliar forms. The idea of beauty is always challenged. Her atelier becomes a laboratory of ideas where garments emerge as three-dimensional sculptures, often defying traditional tailoring or wearable functionality.

Model Casting: A Celebration of Unconventional Beauty

Comme des Garçons runway shows famously reject the typical standards of beauty. The casting process reflects Kawakubo’s belief in individuality over conformity. Models are chosen for their unique features, presence, and their ability to inhabit the clothes, not merely wear them. This often results in a lineup that includes older models, street-cast individuals, performers, and people from diverse racial, cultural, and gender identities.

The casting calls are conducted with careful deliberation. Stylists and casting directors work closely with Kawakubo, who insists on knowing each model’s essence. It’s not uncommon for a model to be chosen based on a walk, a posture, or even a subtle emotion they evoke.

Garment Construction and Styling: Engineering the Abstract

Preparing a Comme des Garçons show requires more than just sewing fabric together. The construction of garments involves months of experimentation. The team works in silence for much of the time, as Kawakubo prefers a space of quiet concentration. Shapes that challenge anatomy require internal scaffolding, hidden supports, and inventive fastenings. Fittings can last for hours, with Kawakubo adjusting a single fold or protrusion until it captures the exact tension she envisions.

Styling is not an afterthought. Hair and makeup are meticulously planned to reflect and enhance the show’s theme. Sometimes this means obscuring the face entirely, painting abstract shapes, or adorning the models with props or headpieces. Kawakubo collaborates closely with long-time partners like hair artist Julien d’Ys, who translates the conceptual vision into sculptural coiffures and transformative aesthetics.

The Set Design: Building a World

For Comme des Garçons, the runway is not a neutral stage—it is part of the message. Set design is conceptualized in tandem with the clothing. One season might feature a stark, all-white arena with spotlight tunnels, while another might involve a labyrinth of paper walls or an abandoned industrial space. The space dictates the mood, the pace of the walk, and even the audience’s perception.

Behind the scenes, this requires complex logistics. Carpenters, lighting experts, sound designers, and stage managers work round the clock to build and rehearse the show environment. Every light flicker, musical beat, and step of the model is choreographed with the precision of a theater production. Rehearsals are tightly guarded, often closed to media, maintaining an air of secrecy and reverence.

Show Day: Controlled Chaos

The day of the show is a ballet of tension and synchronicity. Backstage is a controlled storm. Makeup artists, dressers, coordinators, and assistants occupy every square inch of space. Dozens of hands work in harmony, transforming models into living sculptures within minutes. Kawakubo remains calm and collected, issuing last-minute decisions and sometimes altering entire looks moments before the runway begins.

Security is tight, the mood reverent. Those present know they’re about to witness a rare event—a moment of fashion history unfolding in real-time. As the first notes of music echo through the space and the models begin their walk, a palpable energy flows through the room. The audience is often silent, absorbing every gesture, every silhouette, every silent defiance against fashion norms.

After the Applause: Reflection Over Celebration

When the final model exits the runway and the lights fade, there is no designer bow. Rei Kawakubo almost never appears. Her presence lingers only in the echo of her vision. Backstage, there is no champagne toast, just a quiet dismantling of the set, a nod of acknowledgement among team members, and the beginning of the next idea’s germination.

Critics and audiences emerge into the night with stunned expressions—confused, moved, provoked, inspired. Comme des Garçons shows are designed not to be understood at once but to live in the viewer’s mind long after. They are essays in form, emotion, and contradiction.

Conclusion: Beyond the Fabric

Behind the scenes of Comme des Garçons’ runway shows lies an ecosystem of creativity, discipline, and radical thought. What the audience sees in ten minutes is the result of months     Comme Des Garcons Converse  of collaboration, experimentation, and devotion to an idea that transcends clothing. Rei Kawakubo does not merely create fashion—she deconstructs and redefines it, show after show.

In an industry that often prioritizes commercial appeal and visual uniformity, Comme des Garçons stands as a beacon of integrity and innovation. Behind every garment and runway show is not just craftsmanship, but courage—the courage to be misunderstood, to challenge norms, and to speak through silence.