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Ensemble

Design House Comme des Garçons Japanese
Designer Rei Kawakubo Japanese

fall/winter 2016–17

Not on view

Rei Kawakubo is known for radical silhouettes that question conventional notions of beauty. Her avant-garde creations posit new relationships between the body and the garment based on elements ranging from negative space to Buddhist principles and the kimono. The designer has said that this armature, made up of a patchwork of several strips of floral jacquard fabrics pieced together with rivets, conjures up “punks in the eighteenth century, which was a time of so many revolutions.” Combining tradition with transgression, the designer creates a rebellious, yet romantic silhouette.

On view from October 22, 2022–February 20, 2023

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

Ensemble, Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969), (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester, Japanese

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Ensemble

Design House: Comme des Garçons (Japanese, founded 1969)

Designer: Rei Kawakubo (Japanese, born 1942)

Date: fall/winter 2016–17

Culture: Japanese

Medium: (a–l, o, p, t, u, gg–kk) silk, polyester; (m, n, q–s, ll–ww) polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon; (v–bb) rayon, polyester; (cc–ff) polyester, acetate; (xx, yy) cotton, acetate, nylon; (zz, aaa) cotton, acrylic, polyester

Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2016

Accession Number: 2016.616a–aaa

Recent Acquisitions: A Selection, 2016–2018: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v.76, no. 2 (Fall, 2018)

Recent Acquisitions: A Selection, 2016–2018: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v.76, no. 2 (Fall, 2018)

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