One of the challenges of style blogging is finding inspiration for writing and photography that does not become repetitive and boring. My usual method for generating new ideas is through collaboration and conversation with others. However, for various reasons having to do with not getting enough sleep, yesterday in particular, I had no ideas and no desire to emerge from my cocoon so to speak, and talk to anyone. Not wanting to go further than my building, I turned to my ever-faithful Japanese designers and the easy monochrome of black and white and headed to the roof. With no vision in my head I just decided to put myself, Miyake and the wind together and see what could emerge.
Some of the most iconic photos of Miyake clothing came from his 13 year collaboration, or “non-collaboration” with the photographer Irving Penn. Essentially, Miyake would send Penn some clothes from his Paris shows but he himself would not attend the photo shoot. Similarly Penn did not ever attend a runway show. The two never spoke, never shared a direction, both wishing to achieve a state of pure inspiration and having only what could be called a visual dialog. “I was looking for the one person who could look at my clothing, hear my voice, and answer me back through his own creation. I searched long for such a person and found in Penn-san,” said Miyake in Irving Penn: A Career in Photography (1997). The photographer found creative inspiration in the clothes and had his models strike odd, unnatural poses to exaggerate the curves and shapes of the clothes. Miyake found inspiration for new collections and themes through seeing his pieces from the vantage point and eyes of Penn.
So this lovely story of “non-collaboration” that gave rise to beautiful art becomes my inspiration for today’s post. Like Penn, for me the most interesting aspect of clothing is the voice of the designer and what story they are trying to tell. The voices in my clothes help me to know what to choose like they did for today and the way I wear the clothes is my answer in return. Miyake garments always say to me, “If you wear me I will move and become who you want me to be today”. The other silent partner in this shoot, of course outside of Calvin, is the wind.
What are your clothes saying to you about who designed them?
I have been wearing a lot of everlane. They stand for transparency in supply chain, something I value a lot.
I have been wearing a lot of everlane. They stand for transparency in supply chain, something I value a lot.
this is so beautiful.
I never heard the story of Miyake & Penn but it really is inspirational.
Indeed, it moves.
Cheers,
Barbara
http://www.barbara1923.com
Lagos, Nigeria
Thank you I did not either until researching the relationship.
The wind, some low light, some texture and you!
How it must be for designers to know their artworks are strolling the streets having lives of their own…and inspiring more art. Such as your lovely work here.
xo Jazzy Jack
Yes that seems to be true in other parts of Asia too. I have many young followers from Asia who have a great respect for older folk.
Some of them do and I think they design exactly for that moment.
The wind, some low light, some texture and you!
How it must be for designers to know their artworks are strolling the streets having lives of their own…and inspiring more art. Such as your lovely work here.
xo Jazzy Jack
Some of them do and I think they design exactly for that moment.
I too never heard of this story between Penn & Irving, and it is a beautiful collaboration. I have a Miyake tulip shaped skirt that I appreciate. I had one of those big shawls (Madame?? or something they may have been called), but sold as it was too overwhelming on me. Of course it is stunning on you. I love your creative and I think Miyake looks beautiful in motion as you and Calvin have captured it. More and more I favor the "rick owens" sort of look, I feel RO designs for function as well as form as in clothes that are meant to be lived in, worn, worked out in, washed, hands and keys in pocket. There are other designers that seem to care about form only and then the clothes (or esp. handbags/shoes!!) are not very practical.
We need some inspiration and aspiration in our lives so we can keep dancing!
Myself either until I did some research love it though.
I too never heard of this story between Penn & Irving, and it is a beautiful collaboration. I have a Miyake tulip shaped skirt that I appreciate. I had one of those big shawls (Madame?? or something they may have been called), but sold as it was too overwhelming on me. Of course it is stunning on you. I love your creative and I think Miyake looks beautiful in motion as you and Calvin have captured it. More and more I favor the "rick owens" sort of look, I feel RO designs for function as well as form as in clothes that are meant to be lived in, worn, worked out in, washed, hands and keys in pocket. There are other designers that seem to care about form only and then the clothes (or esp. handbags/shoes!!) are not very practical.
Myself either until I did some research love it though.
Elizabeth Kingston
(timeless_styling)
Issey Miyake has been an inspiration for my design sense and styling for as long as I can remember….and I’ve always been in awe of Irving Penn’s photography (I own a couple of their "collaborative" publications).
Never being in a position to directly own any of Miyake’s pieces, I have accumulated many of his Vogue patterns which I’ve enjoyed sewing over the years.
I could write screeds about my admiration for his sensibility, his experimentalism with textiles & technology, his appreciation of the three dimensions of the human form.
Icon Accidental, your rooftop images are (dare I say) a breath of fresh air. You have added to the sculptural nature of Miyake’s clothing and do honour and justice to the essence of Japanese philosophy.
Thank you for your inspirational and thought- provoking writings.
Cheers,
Elizabeth x
Oh would love to see you wear some and post on Instagram!
Elizabeth Kingston
(timeless_styling)
Issey Miyake has been an inspiration for my design sense and styling for as long as I can remember….and I’ve always been in awe of Irving Penn’s photography (I own a couple of their "collaborative" publications).
Never being in a position to directly own any of Miyake’s pieces, I have accumulated many of his Vogue patterns which I’ve enjoyed sewing over the years.
I could write screeds about my admiration for his sensibility, his experimentalism with textiles & technology, his appreciation of the three dimensions of the human form.
Icon Accidental, your rooftop images are (dare I say) a breath of fresh air. You have added to the sculptural nature of Miyake’s clothing and do honour and justice to the essence of Japanese philosophy.
Thank you for your inspirational and thought- provoking writings.
Cheers,
Elizabeth x
Oh would love to see you wear some and post on Instagram!
Lovely post and photos – your outfit is sublime. On a far less intellectual note, something in these images took my back to my childhood and playing dress-ups with my Mum’s old frocks. One dress in particular, which was black and red, and the same "Madama Butterfly" quality which brought back a happy memory of my Mum who passed two years ago – so thank you.
Oh my dear your writing is lovely such a great story and memory.
Lovely post and photos – your outfit is sublime. On a far less intellectual note, something in these images took my back to my childhood and playing dress-ups with my Mum’s old frocks. One dress in particular, which was black and red, and the same "Madama Butterfly" quality which brought back a happy memory of my Mum who passed two years ago – so thank you.
Oh my dear your writing is lovely such a great story and memory.
OMG. These shapes enhanced by the wind and poses remind me of futuristic clouds. Stunning.
I’m resonating with this idea of being guided by the power of non-collaboration.
We need some inspiration and aspiration in our lives so we can keep dancing!
Thank you I did not either until researching the relationship.
Having just returned from a trip to Japan I was SO encouraged by the stylish and edgy clothes of middle aged women and men there.Of course they have wonderful designers but i am sure it is also due to fact that their culture respects age instead of clinging to youth. I also sew Issey Miyake patterns and always feel free and ,(ironically),youthful in them!
Yes that seems to be true in other parts of Asia too. I have many young followers from Asia who have a great respect for older folk.
The Japanese aesthetic grabbed me years ago. But like an unfaithful lover, I dallied with other styles, only to inevitably return to my true love.
As you discovered years ago, there’s a spiritual quality to things Asian, even to the clothes the people wear. And wearing them, in turn, taps into one’s own spirituality. Miyake has the touch of a Zen master.
April
styleblancetnoir
Beautifully stated, love the thoughtful women who stop by my blog.
The Japanese aesthetic grabbed me years ago. But like an unfaithful lover, I dallied with other styles, only to inevitably return to my true love.
As you discovered years ago, there’s a spiritual quality to things Asian, even to the clothes the people wear. And wearing them, in turn, taps into one’s own spirituality. Miyake has the touch of a Zen master.
April
styleblancetnoir
Beautifully stated, love the thoughtful women who stop by my blog.
Beautiful! These images remind me of the dances of Korean shaman women.
Christine
What a lovely image, I need to find out more about them.
Beautiful! These images remind me of the dances of Korean shaman women.
Christine
What a lovely image, I need to find out more about them.
Love it. Love the designer, love the pieces and love the photography with you and the wind. For a non inspired mood, you made a pretty inspirational post. Often creativity comes from boredom haha. They say it is good for children to be bored at times. Makes them creative.
Greetje
Love it. Love the designer, love the pieces and love the photography with you and the wind. For a non inspired mood, you made a pretty inspirational post. Often creativity comes from boredom haha. They say it is good for children to be bored at times. Makes them creative.
Greetje