Comme Des Garcons FW21 Show Pushes Boundaries

The Japanese brand’s collection - dubbed ‘Landscape of Shadows’ - showcased 20 pieces with moody aspects featuring top hats (created by Dazed EIC Ibrahim Kamara), ruffles, circle-shaped silhouettes, and oversized dresses.

Rei Kawakubo, the founder of the fashion brand, says she tasked herself with embodying “serenity” in her collection. It’s unsurprising to see “monochrome” at the forefront of the collection. In the early 80s, Kawakubo’s use of black was viewed as nonconformist and a rejection of Eurocentric standards of design. Similarly, the exaggerated shapes are another well-known aspect of Kawakubo’s designs, who has spent recent shows creating dramatic silhouettes for effect.

Memorable pieces from the collection include a white dress with exaggerated, almost bubble-like, features on the shoulder and from the waist down, as well as the use of checkerboard and polka dot leggings. The monochromatic looks paired with bulky silhouettes, especially from the waist down to the floor, and top hots offers us an almost Edwardian/Victorian style, rather than a minimalist look. The color scheme allows for extravagance whilst not being too over the top.

Next up, The COMME Des GARÇONS X Salomon’s Collection Is Here