February 18, 2025

Comme Des Garcons Valuing Experiences Over Possessions

Comme des Garçons, founded by Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo, is more than just a brand—it’s a statement, a movement, Comme Des Garcons and an experience. Known for its unconventional approach to design and disregard for mainstream trends, Comme des Garçons exemplifies a philosophy that values depth, experiences, and individual expression over mere possession. While luxury fashion often gravitates toward exclusivity and ownership, Comme des Garçons encourages consumers to see clothing as a medium of self-expression and a channel for personal experiences. This ethos makes the brand a unique embodiment of valuing experiences over possessions in the fashion world.


1. Fashion as an Expression of Identity, Not Status

In an industry where clothing is often seen as a status symbol, Comme des Garçons redefines the purpose of fashion. Kawakubo’s designs focus less on creating “luxury” as we know it, and more on offering individuals a way to express their unique perspectives and experiences.

  • Individuality Over Uniformity: Comme des Garçons clothes are known for their unexpected silhouettes, asymmetric cuts, and avant-garde aesthetic that may not appeal to mainstream tastes. This distinct style allows wearers to express a sense of individuality and stand out from the crowd rather than blend in with trends.
  • Experiences of Self-Discovery: The brand’s pieces encourage wearers to explore their own identities rather than rely on clothing as a superficial symbol of wealth or status. Wearing Comme des Garçons becomes an experience in self-discovery, pushing individuals to embrace boldness, confidence, and self-acceptance.

This perspective places a higher value on how clothing makes a person feel and express themselves rather than how others perceive them.


2. Challenging the Conventional Fashion Narrative

Kawakubo has long challenged the conventions of Western beauty and fashion, introducing pieces that provoke thought and discussion. By doing so, Comme des Garçons invites consumers to value the artistic journey and the emotions a piece evokes over simply “owning” a luxury item.

  • Pushing Boundaries in Aesthetic Norms: Rei Kawakubo’s collections often defy traditional definitions of beauty. Instead of focusing on making the wearer look conventionally attractive, her designs prioritize form, emotion, and message. This approach challenges people to consider the concept of beauty and what fashion can mean beyond outward appearances.
  • Engaging the Senses and Emotions: Comme des Garçons’ runway shows and retail spaces are carefully curated experiences, designed to engage the senses and leave lasting impressions. From surrealist runways to unique store concepts, Kawakubo’s world pushes people to view fashion as an art form and an emotional experience rather than a mere commodity.

The brand’s focus on conceptual designs and immersive experiences encourages consumers to value the narratives and ideas behind each piece rather than seeing them solely as objects to own.


3. Building a Relationship with Clothing

Comme des Garçons advocates for developing a meaningful relationship with clothing. Kawakubo’s designs aren’t meant to be trend-driven, disposable purchases; they’re unique, long-lasting pieces meant to be cherished. This emphasis on quality and longevity is aligned with slow fashion, where every item has a purpose and a story.

  • Timelessness Over Trends: Comme des Garçons pieces are made to transcend seasons and trends, and they rarely follow traditional fashion cycles. By designing with timelessness in mind, the brand encourages consumers to view their purchases as investments in creativity and craftsmanship, not as items to be discarded after a season.
  • Personal Significance: Owning a piece from Comme des Garçons often becomes a personal experience, as each piece holds meaning beyond its aesthetic appeal. People don’t buy Comme des Garçons clothing simply because it’s fashionable—they buy it because it resonates with their personal experiences or philosophy.

Through its timeless approach and high-quality craftsmanship, Comme des Garçons encourages wearers to value their garments as meaningful extensions of themselves.


4. Creating Spaces That Reflect Philosophy

Comme des Garçons retail spaces reflect Kawakubo’s philosophy of fashion as an experience. The brand’s stores, designed as immersive installations, embody the idea of shopping as an experiential journey rather than a transactional exchange.

  • Experimental Retail Design: Comme des Garçons boutiques are designed to surprise and inspire, with each location offering a unique and experimental layout. For example, the famous Dover Street Market (DSM), founded by Kawakubo, blends elements of an art gallery with retail, creating a space that feels like an experience rather than a conventional store. This approach highlights that shopping can be an immersive journey, providing inspiration and engagement beyond the simple act of buying.
  • Emphasis on Exploration: Each Comme des Garçons space encourages exploration, inviting shoppers to take their time and immerse themselves in the brand’s world. The unconventional layouts and installations showcase how the brand prioritizes the experience of being in the space and interacting with the clothing over making a quick purchase.

This approach to retail encourages customers to enjoy the moment and appreciate the artistry behind the clothing, reminding them that the act of choosing and wearing clothes can be as rewarding as the item itself.


5. Encouraging Slow Fashion Values

Comme des Garçons promotes the slow fashion mindset, encouraging people to select clothing thoughtfully and with purpose. Kawakubo’s designs are the opposite of fast fashion; they challenge consumers to adopt a thoughtful, mindful approach to building a wardrobe.

  • Fostering Conscious Consumption: The brand’s pricing, design philosophy, and unique aesthetic all encourage customers to buy selectively, choosing pieces they’ll wear and appreciate for a long time. In a world dominated by rapid consumerism, Comme des Garçons advocates for valuing the pieces you truly connect with.
  • Quality Over Quantity: Comme des Garçons pieces are crafted with attention to detail and quality materials. This approach encourages consumers to invest in well-made clothing that will last rather than a constant influx of low-quality items, promoting a sustainable approach to building a wardrobe.

By encouraging selective purchasing and valuing quality, Comme des Garçons embodies a slow fashion ethos that aligns with appreciating the experience of each piece rather than acquiring items for the sake of ownership.


6. The Brand as an Art Form

Kawakubo’s approach to Comme des Garçons is often more akin to art than traditional fashion. Each collection and piece is like a curated artwork that encourages dialogue and introspection, shifting the focus from mere clothing to the ideas and emotions that the brand seeks to evoke.

  • Runway as a Conceptual Stage: Comme des Garçons’ runway shows are known for their artistic presentation and bold themes. Each show is like a performance, sparking conversation and encouraging viewers to think about fashion as a reflection of social and cultural ideas.
  • Clothing as a Conversation Starter: Comme des Garçons clothing often sparks conversations. The brand’s pieces—whether it’s a structured blazer, a voluminous skirt, or a deconstructed dress—invite people to engage with the ideas behind the designs, transforming fashion into a platform for sharing and exploring new perspectives.

Kawakubo’s art-driven approach positions Comme des Garçons as a brand that encourages wearers to think about fashion as a means of expression, experience, and storytelling.


Conclusion

Comme des Garçons redefines the way Comme Des Garcons Converse we view fashion, emphasizing that clothing can offer far more than outward appearance or status. With its focus on individuality, timeless design, slow fashion values, and artistic presentation, the brand aligns itself with a philosophy that values experiences, creativity, and self-expression over mere possession. Every Comme des Garçons piece is an invitation to engage in a deeper, more meaningful relationship with fashion—one that goes beyond acquiring items to valuing the stories, experiences, and feelings they bring to life.