Is Comme des Garçons Really That Different

Comme des Garçons is a Japanese fashion brand that has confused and inspired many people. The brand was started by Rei Kawakubo in 1969 and became very popular in the 1980s. Many people ask if this brand is really different or just looks strange on purpose. The designs are not like other fashion brands, and that makes people curious. Some clothes look unfinished, while others break all fashion rules. The brand often avoids traditional fashion styles and uses new ideas instead. But does that make it truly unique or just different for the sake of it?Understanding the reason behind the brand’s success takes more than just looking at the clothes. You have to think about the ideas behind the fashion. Comme des Garçons is more about expression than beauty. It tries to challenge the way we see fashion, clothing, and even the human body. Let’s look deeper into what makes this brand different and why people continue to talk about it today.

The Brand Behind The Name

The name Comme des Garçons means “like boys” in French, but commesdegarcons.com it was created by a Japanese designer. Rei Kawakubo, the founder, is known for her quiet personality but strong vision. She does not follow trends and instead follows her own creative direction. When she started the brand, it shocked people with its black color palette and unusual shapes. Many people thought the clothes looked strange or unfinished. But Kawakubo did not want to follow normal beauty standards. She wanted people to think differently about fashion.The brand has many lines under it, including Play, which is more casual and known for its heart logo. While Play is more popular with young people, the main Comme des Garçons line is known for its artistic fashion shows. The company has also helped launch other designers by giving them space and support. In short, it is not just a fashion brand. It is a creative space where ideas are more important than trends or profit.

Why The Clothes Look Unusual

One thing most people notice about Comme des Garçons is how strange some of the clothing looks. Some designs have holes, uneven cuts, or extra pieces that hang off the body. Many clothes are oversized or shaped in ways that hide the body instead of showing it. Kawakubo has said many times that she does not want to make clothes that are only beautiful. She wants people to feel and think when they see her designs.This style is called "anti-fashion" because it goes against what fashion usually means. In most fashion, beauty and sex appeal are important. But Comme des Garçons often ignores both. Instead, the clothes are about ideas, like strength, sadness, or even fear. That can make people uncomfortable, but that is part of the point. The designs make people ask questions, and that is one reason why the brand is seen as different.

Is It Art Or Just Fashion

Many people wonder if Comme des Garçons is actually more art than fashion. The runway shows often look more like art performances than traditional fashion shows. Some pieces are not even made to be worn every day. They are meant to tell a story or send a message. For example, one collection had clothes made to look like lumps or bumps on the body. It was not about looking good but about thinking differently about the body.This way of thinking makes Comme des Garçons different from other brands. Most fashion houses focus on wearable beauty. But Kawakubo wants to change how people think about clothing. She once said that she wants to “create something new” instead of just making something attractive. This shows that the brand is not just about fashion. It is about pushing the limits of design and thought. That makes it closer to art than just clothing.

How People React To It

Comme des Garçons is not loved by everyone, and that’s what makes it so interesting. Some people see the clothes and think they are too weird or even ugly. Others find deep meaning in the shapes and styles. This split opinion has been part of the brand since the beginning. In the early 1980s, when the brand first showed in Paris, many critics were shocked. They said the clothes looked like rags. But over time, people started to see the value in the message.Fashion lovers who enjoy thinking deeply about design often praise the brand. Celebrities, artists, and even museum curators have shown great interest in it. The brand’s pieces are often placed in exhibitions and fashion museums. At the same time, many everyday people wear its simpler items like shirts or jackets. So while some designs are extreme, the brand also makes wearable clothing. This wide range shows how the brand connects with many kinds of people.

Not Just A Trendy Brand

Some people think Comme des Garçons is just popular because it looks different. But the truth is that the brand has stayed strong for over 50 years. That kind of success does not come from being trendy. It comes from having a strong and unique identity. The brand has not changed its style just to follow fashion trends. It keeps doing what it believes in, and people respect that honesty.Other fashion houses often copy the ideas first introduced by Comme des Garçons. This shows that even if some people don’t like the brand, it still influences the whole fashion world. Many younger designers say they were inspired by Kawakubo’s work. Her focus on ideas and freedom in design has helped shape modern fashion. So while it may look strange to some, the brand’s value is clear to those who understand design history.