Rei Kawakubo (Japanese, b. 1942) for Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969). Ensemble, fall/winter 2007–8. White Lycra blend jersey; black synthetic velvet; white faux leather and white rubber. Gift of Comme des Garçons, 2007 (2007.382.1a–e).
Rei Kawakubo’s fall/winter 2007–8 collection took the surrealist strategies of unexpected distortions of scale and uncanny displacements. The ambience was set for a show of sweetness and innocence, accessorized with Minnie Mouse hats and padded decorations like those seen on a baby pillow or a lingerie bag.
But, as it is Commes des Garçons, the childlike flourishes of little girl dresses appliquéd on the front of longer garments had a destabilizing effect. Like Alice’s disorientation in Wonderland, the viewer at a Commes des Garçons presentation is never left feeling that first impressions are valid, for even an apparent prettiness can mask deeper, subliminal complexities. When the series of ensembles with padded hand motifs appeared, the ostensible playfulness of the gesture paradoxically precipitated the kind of momentary disquiet that a Schiaparelli/Dalí collaboration has never provoked.
March 24, 2008 at 9:35 am
This outfit has a real sense of humor! *giggle*
March 24, 2008 at 7:59 pm
All those hands and no pockets on the ensemble?
March 25, 2008 at 8:06 am
As someone who works in the retail industry and as an avid shopper, I examine a lot of clothes and accessories. As such, I have come to value things that are unique, original and whimsical. This outfit embodies all of those characteristics.
March 25, 2008 at 1:07 pm
i love how you used the “micky mouse” gloves as pockets, i also love how you used one base color, white, and how you only added a spark of color on the bunny ears!!!
–abby
March 25, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I love Alice in Wonderland with a passion
so this piece is so inpiring that i wanted it
=]
March 28, 2008 at 9:22 am
I REALLY LOVE THE COLOR AND FABRIC OF THIS PIECE OF FASHION!!!!!
March 30, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I think this piece is playful in its design but with a deeper meaning. The hands covering the body echo the original purpose of clothing… to cover. The stark color and the playful ears created even more unexpected interest. The ears seem to fall somewhere between Playboy bunny and mini mouse.
March 30, 2008 at 2:42 pm
This Is Really Nice…..It Looks Something Like A Superhero Costume!!!!!{LOL}
April 1, 2008 at 8:52 am
This one is disquieting to me because it says female submission–go ahead and grope me, you disembodied crowd of hands.
April 1, 2008 at 9:20 pm
‘it says female submission–go ahead and grope me, you disembodied crowd of hands.’
I disagree: indeed first impressions are not enough. This piece has an oneiric dimension on one hand, on the other, it has a playful anti- fashion statement about it, perhaps as in a Miro painting, of a certain period, that wanted to be an anti-painting statement. A third dimension, perhaps, could be a ‘go ahead and grope me’
allusion, an indirect reference, perhaps, to the alluring nature of the work of other designers, at best, but I doubt the possibility of ‘a female submissive’ reading.
I just fail to see it. Perhaps, all it is, is a beautiful, unexpected image.
‘the viewer at a Commes des Garçons presentation is never left feeling that first impressions are valid, for even an apparent prettiness can mask deeper, subliminal complexities. When the series of ensembles with padded hand motifs appeared, the ostensible playfulness of the gesture paradoxically precipitated the kind of momentary disquiet that a Schiaparelli/Dalí collaboration has never provoked.’
Good point. A Schiaparelli/Dali collaboration is unidemensional.
April 4, 2008 at 9:34 pm
‘The hands covering the body echo the original purpose of clothing… to cover. ‘
Good point. I did not see the entire collection. To see this piece
in the context of the collection, would perhaps suggest additional interpretations. This piece by itself is magnificent, poetic in its dual paradoxical directions. On one hand, as you point out, there is the
covering, protective gesture, on the other, there is a homelessness
feeling about it, a feeling of not having a proper place, a feeling of disconnection. Under the surrealist playfulness there are additional layers.