it makes me mad when people only know her brand from her converse collab because they tend to disrespect them and don’t even think about how much work she put into her brand and what she’s gone through to get to where she is now.
I was a student at FIT in NY in the early 80's.. what a great epoch for fashion especially the punk scene and the beginning of recognition for Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto deconstructed and how we all wore do much BLACK as students in New York City..center of our universe then.. this documentary brings me great memories and joy!!👌🤘👍🤭👏🙏🐈
This is very good analysis of the always enigmatic Rei Kawakubo. Something I have been interested to know is what her clothing looked like in the 1970s. I have never seen examples of the first decade of her collections. I know that she was not doing her unfinished, deconstructed concepts yet. That was clearly a conscious change in the early 80s. She said so herself in the notes from the Met exhibition. She has said that early collections had Japanese folklore themes, something mentioned in this clip, so that gives some indication. But I am very curious to knwo what this early clothing looked like.
@@annishilcock4587 Thanks for the pro tip, but I have done research. As I mentioned, I attended the expertly curated exhibition at the Met that Kawakubo herself was involved in. There were no pre-1981 examples and the only references to what this clothing looked like were in her quotes. I can not find any runway or advertising photos online. My guess is the company was small enough that nothing is known to still exist and perhaps Kawakubo destroyed records of this period as she reinvented herself for her international expansion.
The "Alone in Kyoto" track at the beginning of this video is perfect. Perhaps we were/are all "Lost in Translation" with Rei Kawakubo's unique perspective. She's aimed to avoid making herself simple or understood; her life's work is a constant pursuit to see. Phenomenal.
I would love to see a movie made inspired or fully about Rey Kawakubo. She’s so stoic and interesting. Her being a Japanese fashion designer and being how she is in her art/designs.. whether it’s her personality or vision of her fashion and lifestyle, I feel it would make for an intriguing movie to watch.
I was working in Tokyo for a few months in 2012. One morning early at the office, I was rummaging the cabinets looking to make coffee. My Japanese coworker/host was absolutely horrified. He told me so-and-so prepared office coffee, and *she* would be in at 9. Biggest culture clash I ever experienced. We were both looking at each other with expressions of mystification and horror. I started grabbing cans of hot Boss coffee from machines on my way to work after that.
I struggle on a daily basis with whether i should conform to society or remain who i am truly, which is avant garde & minimal. Thank God for Rei's legacy reminding me to be myself.
Wooow just wow I recently took a picture with an entire bouquet of roses and thought to myself it was creative and looked cute - now seeing the models walking the runway with flowers on their heads (21:11) made me so satisfied and happy 😄
Random Fun fact: Edna mode from the incredible (the superhero’s stylist/designer) is actually a portrayal of rei kawakubo. Edna was characterized as someone from a small country but large impact. Along with a few other identities such as Edith head from paramount pictures (the glasses Edna wears resembles hers so canny). So Edna is a real life designer somewhat. 😂
@@alecothegecko you heard it as a rumor but I know it as a fact. It’s written in books and can clearly see the resemblance of the character to real life
@@alecothegeckoou are correct… Edna Mode was primarily inspired by Edith Head and that has been common knowledge for years. That said, they obviously combined Edna’s character with Rei and Anna Wintour’s quirks/aesthetic as well.
I return to her shop in Chelsea NYC, under the heavenly body sign to witness her creations which are of hope & joy. I can't wait to start collecting some pieces; to hang on the wall
Ric Rei is a truly important figure in 21st century culture. She like Yohji, Kenzo, Issey and friends were all children of the atomic bomb. Just like the plague made way for the Renannaissance in Europe great hardship just like with diamonds creates jewels. Rei is a rare jewel and an inspiration for so many.
I think the choice of the name comes from her desire to free women from clothing conventions (clothing that intend to enhace the waist, hips etc.), you can see how most of her designs are focused on the blurring of gender norms, the "female form" disappears under the fabric like in menswear clothing.
Virginia Campos I was just watching an interview with Yohji Yamamoto & then I ended up hear. I did not know that they were together he did mention her name in the interview. He said that he wanted to design clothes for women that were like men’s clothing & that became his mark in fashion. Guess Great Minds Think alike in some ways. They are both very Inspiring.
25 minutes I had to GASP after hearing Rei's collaboration with environmental polluter - anti human rights clothing giant H&M....this a big NO NO NO NO NO NO FUCKING CAN DO .
