- Founded In: 1970
- Founder: Issey Miyake
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Brand Philosophy: Issey Miyake "was created and still serves as a laboratory for researching, planning and creating clothing that is both socially conscious and universal in nature."
- Current Creative Director: Satoshi Kondo
- Current CEO: Hiroki Kaito
- Known For: Issey Miyake is known for its groundbreaking approach to textile innovation, particularly its signature pleating techniques, which resulted in the creation of the iconic Pleats Please line in 1993. The brand’s designs emphasize movement, technology, and sculptural forms, seen in pieces like the origami-inspired Bao Bao bags and the A-POC (A Piece of Cloth) concept, which revolutionized seamless garment construction. Issey Miyake’s fusion of traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde experimentation has cemented its status as a pioneer in both fashion and fabric technology.
Issey Miyake, founded by the eponymous designer in 1970, is a Japanese fashion brand renowned for its innovative approach to clothing design. Miyake, born in Hiroshima in 1938, studied graphic design at Tokyo’s Tama Art University before moving to Paris in 1965 to attend the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. In 1971, he established Issey Miyake International Inc., and by 1973, he was showcasing his collections in Paris, blending Eastern and Western design elements.
The brand gained international acclaim for its pioneering fabric manipulation techniques, notably the development of permanent pleating in the 1980s, leading to the creation of the iconic Pleats Please line in 1993. Miyake’s commitment to innovation extended beyond fashion; in 1997, he introduced A-POC (A Piece of Cloth), a revolutionary concept producing garments from a single thread, allowing for customizable designs.
Throughout his career, Miyake collaborated with various artists and designers, including graphic artist Ikko Tanaka, resulting in collections that fused traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary fashion. The brand’s unique approach lies in its seamless integration of technology, art, and fashion, continually pushing the boundaries of garment construction and design. Even after Miyake’s passing in 2022, the brand remains influential, upholding his legacy of innovation and artistic exploration.
