Memoires De La Mode (1998) serves as an essential archive of Comme des Garçons' innovative visual and conceptual identity. This meticulously curated volume brings together a diverse array of creative outputs, including advertisements, direct mail flyers, graphic works, and campaign imagery, all of which embody the brand’s avant-garde ethos. Through these materials, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the design philosophy that has come to define Rei Kawakubo’s groundbreaking approach to fashion.
The publication provides a unique perspective on Kawakubo’s artistic vision, highlighting her commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration. Renowned for her willingness to experiment, Kawakubo worked closely with artists, photographers, and designers who aligned with her forward-thinking aesthetic. The accompanying texts, authored by France Grand—an avant-garde journalist with a deep knowledge of art history—and Tsuguya Inoue, art director of Comme des Garçons, provide critical insights into the creative processes behind these works. Together, the visual and textual components of Memoires De La Mode offer an in-depth look at the brand’s enduring impact on the intersection of fashion, art, and graphic design, cementing its place within the cultural canon.
