All COMME des GARÇONS collections since spring/summer 2014 have been “made from the outside of clothing”. This collection, at times eerie and even oppressive, marks a transition for the brand. Many critics have likened this act of creation to art.

Drawing lines has been the best way to preserve creative integrity as the company grows larger. I compartmentalise the different purposes of clothing within my mind. Experience in actually having done this has shown me that it makes creation easier. During the time spent in creating between 20 to 30 looks that will symbolise one season, I do nothing but create and think only about the new. Then I just have to change my mind-set over to thinking about how to sell the creations in the store. Doing things this way makes it easy.

People can call my creations art if they are something new, something they have never seen before. Recent collections have been symbols representing COMME des GARÇONS‘ mission to achieve something new, and thus are extremely abstract. If what people normally wear is ordinary clothing, then these collections probably mean something else. But they can be worn that way if you are so inclined. It is up to the individual. It has to do with that person’s way of life. The idea is that these fashions are not art, but they do not need to be ‘clothing’ either.

What COMME des GARÇONS has done is make people think about a “new kind of beauty”. We have compelled a transformation of values among those wearing our fashions.

Our values are in trying something new, challenging ourselves. This is somewhat different from a sense of values where one only sees creations as either good or bad. The will to attempt something new is a core principle of the company. Naturally, there are things that must be done first in order to act with freedom. This is why the business side must be cared for. For that reason, what we do is not art.

Over the last 20 years, our sense of values that was focused on creating new things has gradually withered. We have no future if this sense of values is not adopted by large companies and those working in distribution. In addition to things that will sell, we can create a number of opportunities to showcase new ideas — if we can skilfully compartmentalise. I want to see these things created.

I can still remember when, ten years after the founding of COMME des GARÇONS, President Kan Yamanaka gave us immediate permission to use the mortar-enclosed space on the first floor of the Matsuya Building in Ginza. That was 35 years ago.

A multi-brand store carrying mostly COMME des GARÇONS products in Dover Street Market in Ginza. The shop is a fun space with luxury, street, and up-and-coming brands, as well as giant art pieces; and brings the joys of browsing and inspires with more than just merchandise