Suhani Lotlikar

The idea of Comme was born in 1969. They carry many achievements and notable awards throughout their history. Rei not only managed to make Comme a part of the Federation Française de la Couture du Prêt-â-Porter des Couturiers et Créateurs de Mode but also made a home in the minds of people willing to go beyond the rules of fashion. Below is a detailed timeline produced from references extracted from the books- Art of the In Between, (2017) and Comme des Garçon fashion memoir, (1998).

1969

Introduced Comme Des Garçons collection- ‘Creation’

1973

Founded Comme Des Garçons Co. Ltd in Tokyo

1975

Presented first Comme Des Garçons collection in Tokyo, opened the first flagship store in Aoyama

1978

Introduced Comme Des Garçons Homme

1981

Debuted in Paris showing Autumn/Winter 81-82 (Lace)

Introduced Comme Des Garçons Tricot and Robe de Chambre (Womenswear)

1982

Established Comme Des Garçons SAS in Paris

Joined the Federation Française de la Couture du Prêt-â-Porter des Couturiers et Créateurs de Mode

Opened first overseas flagship store in Paris (relocated in 2001)

Joined Designers collective trade organization in New York

1983

Received the Mainichi Fashion Award from Tokyo’s Mainichi Shimbun

Introduced Comme Des Garçons furniture line

Opened flagship store in New York (relocated in 2012)

1984

Introduced and presented Comme Des Garçons Homme Plus (Creations) in Paris

1986

Established Comme Des Garçons Ltd. in New York

Received ‘Night of Stars’ award for Women Who Made a Difference in Fashion Business from Fashion Group International

Exhibited ‘MODE et PHOTO: Comme Des Garçons featuring photographers of Rei Kawakubo’s designs at Centre Georges Pompiduo, Paris

1987

Introduced Comme Des Garçons Homme Deux and Comme Des Garçons Noir (later discontinued) 

1988

Received the second Mainichi Fashion Award

Introduced Comme Des Garçons SHIRT

Launched biannual magazine published until 1999

1991

Featured in Tokyo Product Design ’91 and Comme Des Garçons Furniture at Galerie V.I.A., Paris

1992

Introduced and presented Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garçons in Tokyo

1993

Introduced Comme Des Garçons Comme Des Garçons (Style)

Presented Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garçons in Paris

Awarded Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for significant contribution to arts and literature

Exhibited ‘Essence of Quality’ at Kyoto Costume Institute featuring Comme Des Garçons Noir 

1994

Established Comme Des Garçons Perfume SA in Paris

1996

Undertook collaborations with Vivienne Westwood 

1997

Designed the set and costumes for Merce Cunningham’s dance Scenario 

Staged first and only joint presentation with another designer- Martin Margiela: Spring/Summer 1998

2001

Introduced and presented Junya Watanabe MAN in Paris

Paired with Coco Chanel in the installation ‘2 Women’ at Mode 2001 Landed- Geland fashion festival and included in the ’10 Radical Fashion Designers’ exhibit at V&A museum 

2002

Introduced PLAY Comme Des Garçons with heart logo designed by Filip Pagowski

2004

Robe de Chambre is united with Comme Des Garçons Comme Des Garçons

Awarded Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by French President 

Opened Dover Street Market that displays Comme Des Garçons lines and other emerging designers chosen by Red Kawakubo (relocated in 2016)

Launched first Guerrilla store ( part of 40 stores across the globe that are open only for 1 year)

2005

Introduced Tao Comme Des Garçons in Paris (later discontinued)

Exhibited Comme Des Garçons for Comme Des Garçons featuring company’s printed matter in Tokyo

2006

Introduced Comme Des Garçons Pearl (jewellery line)

2007

Introduced Pocket Comme Des Garçons- a kiosk-like store  merchandising PLAY and other lines 

Opened Comme Des Garçons Hong Kong (relocated in 2009)

Introduced Ganryu Comme Des Garçons by Fumito Ganryu

2008

Introduced Black Comme Des Garçons and Comme Des Garçons for H&M worldwide

Launched Louis Vuitton at Comme Des Garçons (limited edition)

2009

Opened Trading museum Comme Des Garçons, first SIX gallery exhibition space and Black Comme Des Garçons in New York, Paris, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo

2010

Opened Comme Des Garçons Bangkok, Seoul and I.T. Beijing Market

2011

Opened Comme Des Garçons Singapore 

2012

Opened Dover Street Market in Tokyo and Comme Des Garçons in Philippines 

Exhibited ‘White Drama’ in Paris

2013

Opened Dover Street Market in New York

2014

Introduced and presented Noir Kei Ninomiya in Paris

2017

Exhibited ART OF THE IN BETWEEN at the Metropolitan Museum