Japanese Fashion Designers: The Work and Influence of Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo

by Bonnie English

Over the past 40 years, Japanese designers have led the way in aligning fashion with art and ideology, as well as addressing identity and social politics through dress. They have demonstrated that both creative and commercial enterprise is possible in today's international fashion industry, and have refused to compromise their ideals, remaining autonomous and independent in their design, business affairs and distribution methods. The inspirational Miyake, Yamamoto and Kawakubo have gained worldwide respect and admiration and have influenced a generation of designers and artists alike.

Based on twelve years of research, this book provides a richly detailed and uniquely comprehensive view of the work of these three key designers. It outlines their major contributions and the subsequent impact that their work has had upon the next generation of fashion and textile designers around the world.

Designers discussed Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, Naoki Takizawa, Dai Fujiwara, Junya Watanabe, Tao Kurihara, Jun Takahashi, Yoshiki Hishinuma, Junichi Arai, Reiko Sudo & the Nuno Corporation, Makiko Minagawa, Hiroshi Matsushita, Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and Helmut Lang.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Design

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Víctor Soho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorei. Definitivamente é moi introdutorio, un libro de pura divulgación que supoño que para a xente máis experta resultará problemático e matizable, pero que eu sentín como unha entrada a un mundo totalmente novo. Lémbrame a cando, de pequeno, regaláronme un libro de dinosaurios e estiven varios anos obsesionado con el, reléndoo en bucle e buscando máis información de cada dinosaurio en internet. Levaba tempo sen atopar un libro que me espertara esa sensación de novidade e abraio por todo un área do coñecemento a descubrir.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chyba liczyłam na więcej zdjęć, które uzupełniałyby tekst i nie musiałabym co chwilę sięgać po telefon, żeby wyszukiwać wspomniane kolekcje. Podobały mi się partie faktycznie poświęcone tytułowym japońskim projektantom, przybliżające ich historie, filozofie marek, strategie marketingowe, ale dalsza część książki o belgijskich projektantach, których zainspirowali była dla mnie nieco przydługa. No i trzeba się interesować tkaninami i metodami ich obróbki, żeby nie przysypiać.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

tam byli zmineny asi tak sichni moji fav designers :333

[s · Rating 3 out of 5]

good resource

[Yesuigen Tsogjavkhlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Think of things that can be created, not destroyed, and that bring beauty and joy."
"Our goals must be to find new, environmentally-friendly ways by which to continue the art of creation, to utilize our valuable human skills, and to make things that will bring joy."
For someone trying to understand and appreciate the art of couture, this book felt incomplete. However, it is a good introduction into the world of Japanese fashion, ideologies, philosophies and gives the reader an overview of legendary designers and their impact on the fashion scene.
Rei Kawakubo's chapter was one of my most favourite chapters in any fashion book ever. Maybe it was because I related to her ways and how unapologetically robust, independent and future obsessed she is.
I felt more connected to Issey Miyake because of his philosophies on the fashion industry, how technology-driven his brand is and how he combines the beauty of comfort and space with different fabrics. I adore his functional folding dresses, bags which all seem so futuristic and lovely. I discovered a new part of high fashion with this book, and I hope you read it as well.
I remember watching a video from "Harper's BAZAAR" "These are the real Crazy Rich Asians" on youtube a while ago. Since then, I have had a new and maybe more positive lookout for fashion couture and overall clothing. I used to think clothes should be functional, and that is it—no need for it to be pretty, shiny or in any way distracting. But beauty IS a big part of our lives which we should not overlook like I once did. The couture itself was made to make the client feel special. Couture is not just business for the rich. It is also a celebration of the highest level of craftsmanship and creativity we often overlook, especially in this era of fast fashion and massive factories.

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool to learn about the history of Japanese fashion of the last few decades.
I went into this expecting a lot of pictures, and was honestly surprised there WASN'T. There were some photos, but I really expected a lot more than what there was, especially to go with the page long descriptions.

[mia]

“How does one summarize the influence of genius? When you drop a pebble in a pond, concentric ripples spread from the centre—circles of energy that travel outward”

[EIJANDOLUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make me a fabric that looks like poison. (I. Miyake)

[Reeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because before reading this comprehensive book I only knew about Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto. Its a book about giving information rather than a glossy picture book and I found myself asking Mr. Google for reference photos, which was perfect....as some images made it to my Pinterest page.

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing...

[Mahdieh · Rating 5 out of 5]

great