As the end of 2020 approaches, Comme des Garçon unveils its collaboration with Japanese magazine Switch for a collection that celebrates the “People of the Year” according to the two brands. Eight different figures from various industries have been asked to participate in the making of this special collection, and the result is 17 unique garments and items including shirts, tote bags and shoes. From artists to athletes, Comme des Garçon and Switch’s People of the Year:
Celebrated for his risqué photographic works, Nobuyoshi Araki started his career with the Sentimental Journey series in 1960. For tthis special collection, Araki’s two items are a tote bag and a jacket. On one side of the tote is Araki’s work printed together with the handwritten characters for “paradise”. On the other side of the bag is his autograph. As for the reversible jacket, the backside features another one of Araki’s photographs. Inverted, the jacket turns from black to white and features the photographer’s handwriting once again.
Naomi Osaka has made a name for herself in the world of tennis by championing the Grand Slam twice in 2018 and 2020. Also winning the Australian Open in 2019, she became the first Asian player to hold the top rank in singles. The Nike X CDG Naomi Osaka t-shirt and Nike X CDG Naomi Osaka blazer are featured in this collection. For both items, the message “Home is where the heart is” in Osaka’s handwriting takes the spotlight.
Known as a cartoonist, writer and visual designer, Kotobuki Shiriagari shares his oeuvre in this holiday collection. Presenting fans with a grey hoodie and a white T-shirt, Kotobuki Shirigari features two of his illustration, one on each piece. The prints are from a special exhibition, Classic X Contemporary 2020, at the National Art Centre, Tokyo. On the backs of both articles is the artist’s autograph.
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, or Stormzy, is a British rapper and songwriter. The 27-year-old came into fame through the underground music scene. For this collection with Kawakubo, his signature and #merky hashtag is printed on a black T-shirt and jacket.
Born in 1956, Kazuyo Sejima is an internationally renowned Japanese architect. Now a professor at the Polytechnic University of Milan and special lecturer at Japan Women’s University and Osaka University of Arts, her talent and clean modernist designs simply cannot be ignored. Giving her fans a glimpse of her creativity, the sketches from her notebook ate transferred onto a white t-shirt and red oversized tote.
Shuntaro Tanikawa is a Japanese poet and translator. Currently aged 89, he is one of the most highly regarded writers in Japan and also globally. Tanikawa’s name is often speculated for the noble prize in literature. Reflecting back to his childhood, a new piece of poetry has been written to be juxtaposed with the poet’s photograph from when he was a child. There are three pieces in this collection: white T-shirt, white shirt and blue-grey tote bag.
American musician, singer, author and poet, Patti Smith is presenting the lyric of her song People Have The Power from her 1988 album Dream of Life in this collection. The words are handwritten and screened onto an oversized black tote bag, while the alternate side bears a picture of the artist in monochrome. Another item from Patti Smith and Kawakubo is a white button-down shirt with the lyrics and a black and white photo stylishly screened atop.
Ichiro Yamaguchi is a Japanese musician and founder of the rock band Sakanaction. The band was the very first band of its kind to receive the Japan Academy Film Prize Best Music Prize award in 2016. The black staff coat and over-sized tote bag featured in this collection have “Sugar & Sugar” printed on the fabric. The message refers to an experimental music project Sakanaction created in collaboration with NHK. On the back of both the coat and the tote is a large QR code leading to the new song Yamaguchi has written for the joint venture.
All 17 items are available at the Comme Des Garçons boutique on the G floor, Gaysorn Village. For more information, visit commedesgarconslovers.com.
See also: You Can Now Own Comme des Garçons Nike Sneakers
