Issey Miyake Pleats Please by Taschen (2012) offers a vivid exploration of one of fashion's most revolutionary innovations: the Pleats Please line. Launched in 1993, the line showcases Issey Miyake's pioneering approach to garment design, emphasizing functionality, movement, and the interplay of technology with tradition. This book serves as both a retrospective and a celebration of the collection's cultural and artistic significance, featuring lush photography, archival sketches, and essays that unravel Miyake's vision. The garments' iconic pleating process—where fabric is cut and sewn before being heat-pressed into pleats—takes center stage, revealing its transformative effect on texture, wearability, and expression.
What sets this Taschen publication apart is its blend of technical insight and creative storytelling. The book illustrates how Pleats Please transcends conventional notions of fashion, standing as an art form that marries simplicity with sophistication. It highlights Miyake's commitment to democratizing high design by creating pieces that are lightweight, travel-friendly, and universally flattering. Through a series of essays and interviews, the reader is immersed in the cultural dialogue surrounding the line, from its resonance in contemporary dance to its role in redefining modern wardrobes. With its crisp design and thoughtful content, Issey Miyake Pleats Please is a fitting homage to a collection that continues to ripple across the fashion landscape.
