Item 2019.25 - Comme des Garçons Numbers Jumpsuit

Identity area

Reference code

2019.25

Title

Comme des Garçons Numbers Jumpsuit

Date(s)

  • 2001 (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

1

Context area

Name of creator

(1973-)

Administrative history

Comme des Garçons was founded in 1973 in Tokyo by designer Rei Kawakubo (b. 1942). The company launched its first menswear line Comme des Garçons Homme in 1978, which Kawakubo designed until 1990 when Keiichi Tanaka (b. 1955) took over. In 2003 Junya Watanabe (b. 1961; see p. 301) became the line’s menswear designer. The company has several other menswear lines, including Comme des Garçons Homme Plus which debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 1984 as the company’s second menswear collection. Tailoring is central to the brand’s design philosophy. Comme Des Garçons Homme Deux was founded in 1987 and is primarily known for its suits, but also for its ties and shirts. The menswear range Comme des Garçons SHIRT debuted in 1988 with a focus on shirts, but quickly expanded to include jackets and trousers. It is primarily manufactured in France. Comme des Garçons Play launched in 2002 and consists of menswear and womenswear. It is a playful diffusion line that features the brand’s iconic heart-shaped logo. Comme des Garçons Black launched in 2008 and features signature menswear and womenswear.
In 2004 Comme des Garçons opened its first Dover Street Market store on Dover Street, in Mayfair, London. In 2016, it relocated to a much larger store on the Haymarket in St James’s, London. Additionally, 2004 was the debut of the first of approximately forty Comme des Garçons ‘guerrilla stores’, which were one-year-only pop-up shops. The company has 200 directly managed stores worldwide. Comme des Garçons have collaborated with numerous other brands including H&M, Louis Vuitton, Dr. Martens, Tretorn, Gucci, Undercover, A Bathing Ape, Hermès, Lewis Leathers, Supreme, Stüssy, Nike, Fred Perry, Visvim, Speedo and Vivienne Westwood.
Source: WWD.

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Content and structure area

Scope and content

Off white pair of overalls with Comme des Garçons numerical print. The garment features adjustable collar and an elastic band at the wrist. Long YKK zip fastening on the front of the overall ending on the waistline and buttoned cuffs, includes once chest pocket plus two slanted side pockets under the drawstring waist.
Country of design: France
Country of manufacture: Japan

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      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Shell: 100% cotton, Size M, GE-U003, AD 2001

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      Note

      Invisible Men exhibition label:

      NUMBER PRINT OVERALLS
      Comme Des Garçons
      2001

      The use of an all-over graphic print of white-on-white oversized numbers on these cotton overalls emphasise their utilitarian functionality. They are also evocative of the type of uniforms worn by workers on a high-tech production line.

      Cotton
      Archive no. 2019.25

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