This week I return to my academic life after semester break. Classes begin and other activities begin to ramp up. I must confess I am “on the fence” about returning as this has been a very exciting month for Accidental Icon. I had the experience of having my first professional photo shoot for the next issue of Grey Magazine, a magazine I have followed before blogging and one that I have respected and admired. I have met, communicated with and been referenced by so many wonderful people; other bloggers, designers, and especially my readers and friends here on the blog and social media.
So I needed some inspiration when it came to knowing how to balance two ideas that are equally important, or in my case two responsibilities. As usual I look towards fashion to see what I can learn and this presents me with the opportunity this week to focus on one of my favorite brands: Comme des Garçons. In this week’s series I will write about Comme des Garçons. as a business and of course will have future posts that focus on the creative force behind the brand Rei Kawakubo as well as other collaborating designers like Junya Watananbe, And Re Walker and Converse.
What I find most interesting about Comme des Garçons is the way the brand is a master at juggling the balance between art and commerce in fashion. I also like that although there are always outrageous and thought provoking clothes on the runway (something Accidental Icon might wear) there are also very wearable lines that can be worn easily in the everyday life of people who are independent, free thinking and creative (the professor). In the photo I am wearing one of the wearable lines, tricot Comme des Garçons, jacket, skirt and top.
The husband and wife team of Adrian Joffee and Rei Kawabubo oversee the business but she is clearly the head of the business and Joffee works for her. Interestingly, Joffee has no formal training in business and and Rei Kawakubo was never formally trained in fashion design. In an interview with the Financial Times, Joffee explains why this has actually worked for the brand, “I think sometimes it’s easier to break the rules if you don’t know what they are.” The company has offices in Paris and Tokyo. From Tokyo, Kawakubo directs that there be only one rule for the company, that whatever it does, it must do it in a new way. Whatever you do must be new and not reference the past. For Joffe in Paris this means having new and different business ideas. His training in Zen Buddism has given him the ability to not attach and to appreciate the impermanence of the fashion world. For Rei Kawakubo it means having the enormous burden of coming up with something new when she had done that every season for the last 45 years…yet she does.
So I will take some inspiration from this remarkable brand with me as I head back to academia: if you do something do it in a new way, don’t attach, recognize the impermanence of success and you don’t need formal training to be exceptionally creative and good at something.
For my favorite Comme des Garçons looks see my pinterestest board.
What do you think when you see Comme des Garçons?
I applaud your new adventures, as Accidental Icon soars!
Thank you so much. Coming from you that means a lot as I so respect your work.
Gracious as always!
I applaud your new adventures, as Accidental Icon soars!
Gracious as always!
I adore Comme des Garcons. The designs really speak to me even if they aren’t something I could wear in my daily life. Congratulations on the photo shoot! You’ve made quite a well-deserved splash in the blogging world.
Thank you so much. Coming from you that means a lot as I so respect your work.
I bought a book for $3 in a junk shop called ‘Made in Japan’ which discusses Comme des Garcons, as well as Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe and Yamamoto. So far I’ve only read the preface but it explains the differences in traditional clothing between the east and west and has allowed me to understand Comme better.
I’ve known about the brand for a few years now and adore sites like Dot Comme which archive these pieces and curate them alongside similar designers.
Congrats on your upcoming feature and recent publicity, as well as connecting with other bloggers and designers. Balancing academia with blogging can be hard but if you really love both you can make time for them.
http://secret-hipster.blogspot.com.au/
Thanks for the encouragement Adele because I have to say I really do love both of them!
Nicely written. And congrats on the photo shoot!
I’m very intrigued by the CDG label (and I finally have one of the incense fragrances, Kyoto). I "get" the aesthetics of Rei Kawakubo’s work, as well as those of other Japanese designers (Yamamoto, especially).
Yes, that is the best part about them…so thoughtful…so imperfect
Nicely written. And congrats on the photo shoot!
I’m very intrigued by the CDG label (and I finally have one of the incense fragrances, Kyoto). I "get" the aesthetics of Rei Kawakubo’s work, as well as those of other Japanese designers (Yamamoto, especially).
Yes, that is the best part about them…so thoughtful…so imperfect
I find CDG label quite edgy and free spirited! They certainly have lots of wearable pieces and your outfit is a great example of it! You look great!
This is the first time I visited your blog and I am fan!
http://tickleyourvanity.com
Thanks so much, glad you found me.
I find CDG label quite edgy and free spirited! They certainly have lots of wearable pieces and your outfit is a great example of it! You look great!
This is the first time I visited your blog and I am fan!
http://tickleyourvanity.com
Thanks so much, glad you found me.
Lyn, Isn’t it amazing what happens when one allows themselves to be authentic? The doors just start to open. Congratulations on your feature in the Grey Magazine, that is quite an accomplishment and so very flattering!! Looking forward to seeing it.
You mentioned that you are going back to academia? You are a professor? What do you teach?
You fabulous in your CDG!!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Thanks Cherie, the shoot was beyond exciting and I have a ne appreciation for models: it was really hard work, I was tired by the end. I love your new format, congratulations! I teach social welfare and am very interested in how fashion and clothing can be used to both empower and to oppress. It has certainly empowered me!
Lyn, Isn’t it amazing what happens when one allows themselves to be authentic? The doors just start to open. Congratulations on your feature in the Grey Magazine, that is quite an accomplishment and so very flattering!! Looking forward to seeing it.
You mentioned that you are going back to academia? You are a professor? What do you teach?
You fabulous in your CDG!!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Thanks Cherie, the shoot was beyond exciting and I have a ne appreciation for models: it was really hard work, I was tired by the end. I love your new format, congratulations! I teach social welfare and am very interested in how fashion and clothing can be used to both empower and to oppress. It has certainly empowered me!
I’ve been meaning to comment; apologies for the delay. Firstly, I’ve loved CdG for years, and I, too, am an academic (because I’m a writer) and wear a lot of CdG to teach in. I actually have pieces that are over thirty years old and still wear. I love the way you blend different pieces together. Glad to have found your blog!
propertension.blogspot.com
Fantastic! So you don’t follow those silly maxims you hear in academia about having to dress a certain way to be taken seriously?
Obviously not if you are wearing CDG to teach! Your students probably love it too. Glad to meet you.
I’ve been meaning to comment; apologies for the delay. Firstly, I’ve loved CdG for years, and I, too, am an academic (because I’m a writer) and wear a lot of CdG to teach in. I actually have pieces that are over thirty years old and still wear. I love the way you blend different pieces together. Glad to have found your blog!
propertension.blogspot.com
Fantastic! So you don’t follow those silly maxims you hear in academia about having to dress a certain way to be taken seriously?
Obviously not if you are wearing CDG to teach! Your students probably love it too. Glad to meet you.