i swear i was desperately trying not to write cheesily but OK I HAVE A SOUL I ADMIT IT OKAY

Comme des Garcons is my favorite of all fashion week, every city. No surprise there. You've all probably almost surely kinda definitely already seen the pictures, this is for the style diary part of my blog. Inspiration, whatnot.This collection is a perfect example of why I love Comme des Garcons. The clothes are amazing, but it's more the thoughts they suggest that make me love the entire thing. I've blah blah blahed on before about breaking fashion rules and trends are stupid and all, but one thing fashion has not done for me in a while is make me feel a certain way. Of course I feel more energetic when wearing bright colors, or a little more mysterious in my cape (great fun), but not in any way like this. The whole collection has a melancholy feel to it. When I saw it, God Help the Outcasts and Desolation Row came to mind, if that makes any sense. I'm pretty much just thinking aloud right now, btdubs (Cathy Horyn (link, anyone?) and Robin Givhan had fantastic reviews though, I demand you read them now).Rei described it as "Wonderland, where nothing is as it seems." I know what Auntie Rei says GOES, but to me the collection feels more honest than anything else. For some reason it's sad and lonely but not depressing, more beautiful, really. And I don't know why.The collection is inspiring to me not only because of the clothes (epic, duh) but because it reminded me of what you can accomplish with design and fashion. You can evoke multiple feelings, not just one. I can name a number of designers that throw up outfits that are really just looks and not much else- different just for the sake of being different, tacky- you know who I'm talking about. I wouldn't describe the Comme collection as "intellectual," really (an overused term, to be honest). Thoughtful, maybe? More emotional than anything else.
Something to think about. I'm excited to get dressed tomorrow. This is what I want to accomplish every morning.
photos, style.com

40 comments:

Elene said...

super awesome!!

<3 the drapery.

xoxo-

trasho said...

You do dress so simular! Lovely, lovely x

Anonymous said...

Yea Cathy Horyn definitely knows whats up. She speaks glowing words about CDG this season, same for Alber.

I also love Cathy because she rags on the Rodarte sisters for being too indulgent which is totally true.

One of the things I've like about cdg is that its not just decoration or just piling on crap, this woman knows how to construct clothes. She understands the technique and then totally turns technique upside down. Gotta respect Savoire-Faire.

But I do think that Martin Margiela is better than comme, even though she influenced him.

style-magnet said...

So I went to a designer resale boutique today and tried on a cropped Comme des Garcons jacket and totally thought of you. Real world + blogosphere = collide.

I love this Comme collection. HOMEGIRL REI KNOWS WHAT SHE'S DOIN.

chalortte said...

BEAUTIFUL !( nothing to say )
Tavi how do you do ? I didn't know Robin ghivan !( shame on me )
You are wonderful !

Shelley Noble said...

I'm learning a lot from you, Tavi.

I read the Ghivan article as you demanded too.

Looking at the photos you pulled with the veils, I felt the red smudges were meant to represent tuberculosis. That too would make sense given the kind of wan, somber, WWII British evacuee feel to the collection.

L I L Y said...

The epic draping is amazed.
Not feeling the random red specks on the veils, but everything else is pretty amazing

Catherine said...

It is very nice. You dress very similarly.

ren said...

That collection is so so wicked ! Oh wow. =O

comerain said...

oh tavi,
i think you hit the nail on the head there.
i've been trying to express the admiration i have for comme, so many times, but have been unable to express it, maybe because i couldn't quite put my finger on it.
of course the unconventional silhouettes and unexpected techniques and pure skill has drawn me in, but moreso it is like you write the strength of emotions that rei visualises; awkward but powerful beauty, twisted but stunning, an outsider belonging, the refinement of imperfections...

or something?
xsxs

E. Lee said...

It is sort of lonely, isn't it? All that fabric, creating beautiful fortress between the model and the wide world? Maybe it's a commentary on how excess (in this case, fabric) can isolate us from one another...

Kiki said...

perhaps the netting over the face...a screen from the world is the 'isolated' feeling you get....
perhaps just getting people to think is the aim of this collection...like any good artwork, causing viewer to question/annalyse...

In-tree-gue said...

the emotiobal tension in Rei's work is amazing. I really enjoyed this collection more than past seasons because its a lot more airy and reminds me of her earlier works that were a lot more expiremental, i would really love to see how she comes up with the idea for her collections

bobb said...

A really great description here. I think that "sad and lonely but not depressing" says it exactly. I never would have thought of "Desolation Row" but you are right; it fits so well with the mood expressed here.

Isabel said...

Definitely my favourite collection tooo!! I think I might have to save up and buy a pair of the toe shoes when they're on super sale maybe next year.

Anna said...

I agree with the meloncholy feel. I really love this collection.

olga d said...

darling, i'm pleased to hear that you have a soul. it's a shock indeed, what with all the dizzies you cost your classmates.

lily m said...

I am still drooling from the first time I saw this

Anonymous said...

I agree that there is definitely a sense of loneliness... & this is especially evoked, I think, by the black cape with a drawn on blazer, and similar pieces. It's like it's saying, "this is still fashion, i am the same as others," but then it is really so much more than that. I agree...the collection is very thoughtful & emotional. Rei is so admirable!

Mary said...

You titles always make me die of laughter. Die. And I want the black jacket with white piping soo badly... it's all so different, yet cohesive.

I'd right more but I'm off to dye my hair pink now! And tie spider webs around my face? Sure.

the StReeT chanteuse said...

This collection and your review gave me good vibes
(even though everytime I see CdG I love it). thanks for posting this.

The constructon and the thought process was enough to have me hooked, like REI didnt just say "oh I will be expected to do this so I will" she almost took a complete left turn and from there reimagined CdG.

the StReeT chanteuse said...

and the one single KISS, not just a red blob, was symbolic as well. think about it. arent kisses on cheeks a farewell?

something to think about.

rachel ann said...

dooode i swear one girl in my dance class paints toes on her shoes just like that! I always loved the idea but was skeptical on whether or not it was worth it. I think it is now :D I totally get what u mean with the emotions it gives you...it's not depressing but it's beautifully melancholy like u said, very awesome :)

thevamoose said...

so good.

Quinn said...

indubitably Beautiful

Simona said...

I think this was one of your most poetical yet mature and focused and right to the point post ever.
Loved it so much.
Thanx
S
xxx

Vanessa said...

Commes was amazing, definitely one of my favorite shows this season.

Leah said...

i completely agree with your interpretation--"sad and lonely but not depressing"

it was a beautifully done collection and it really was very emotional

Anonymous said...

really love this collection too.
anyways, i think you might find this to be very entertaining and wonderful:)

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2008/06/the-time-has-co.html

hope you have a wonderful day!

mayorgasmic said...

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/11/fashion/20090312-paris-wrap-feature/index.html?ref=fashion#

Cathy Horyn Audio via NYT

Anonymous said...

Nice collection

Jamie Sterns said...

xoxo cdg, always a fan, even when it was too "80s"

Daniella said...

such a beautiful collection! Great post.

alyssarz said...

I tagged you. :)

Cassiopeia said...

i adored this collection. those veils are INSPIRED!

xxxc

http://clothestohealabrokenheart.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth said...

I ABHOR YOU!
(not really)
those pants...amazing
the heart shirt...sweet
who would think to wear a tutu like that...not me

i give it, on a score from 1 to unique, ....A UNIQUE 10!!!!

you inspire me


...and I don't really tell that to a lot of 12 years olds, mainly because most are afraid of what peers will think of them!

i salute you ms. style rookie!


www.blogcatwatch.blogspot.com

Julia said...

Rei Kawakubo rocks!

Anonymous said...

I seriously know one of the models in this show and she in this post twice! That's soooo cool. She's in the checkered poncho thing at the top!

Tavi said...

Oh my god! Did she meet Rei? She's gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

When I first looked at this collection on style.com I wrote it off as interesting yet unwearable. How come I always see things differently when you blog about them? Now I'm beginning to see that with Rei it's not about wearability at all, but the emotions and feelings behind the fabric. This collection is more than interesting, its magnificent.