MANILA, PHILIPPINES — This week, the world says goodbye to a fashion icon. On August 05, fashion trailblazer Issey Miyake passed away at age 84 after battling liver cancer. His death was announced by the Miyake Design Studio, the creative hub and women’s fashion producer that he founded in 1970, last August 09.
We’re deeply saddened to hear the news of Issey Miyake’s passing – his work always balanced the practical and the beautiful and his constant experimentation with both kept him at the peak of fashion and design🤍 pic.twitter.com/ptHZj93x2m
— the Design Museum (@DesignMuseum) August 9, 2022
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Issey Miyake’s legacy is one that opened many doors not only in Japanese fashion but in fashion movements throughout the world. From his technology-driven designs to his avant-garde approach to his creations, he was an innovative mind that shaped the way the fashion world sees clothes and the creative processes behind them.
The Japanese designer is best known as the “king of pleats,” alluding to his rise to fame in the 80s for his origami-like, no-crease pleated designs, a radical and cutting-edge shift that paved the way for aesthetically pleasing pieces that still allowed for function and freedom of the body. In fact, as a response to high fashion’s lack of wearable and affordable pieces, Miyake launched the Pleats Please line in 1993.
Archive Issey Miyake pieces from the Pleats Please ‘Artist Series’! (Late 90’s) pic.twitter.com/na6u209cZO
— Outlander Magazine (@StreetFashion01) August 9, 2022
Issey is also to thank for the instantly recognizable black turtle necks that Steve Jobs always wore. The Apple founder’s staple was no ordinary turtleneck, it was one that Jobs specifically commissioned from Issey since they were close and because of Issey’s known love of technology.
Bringing this thread back in honor of Issey Miyake — He was close with Steve Jobs who had commissioned him for Apple Employee uniforms. Issey designed those custom black turtle necks Steve wore 👇🏽 https://t.co/304hAVFg2A
— Shelby Ivey Christie (@bronze_bombSHEL) August 9, 2022
What set Miyake apart was that he always prioritized motion and practicality when creating his designs without ever sacrificing his unique point of view and eye for design which made him an icon in the fashion world. From working with unorthodox materials and creating interesting shapes to experimenting with trailblazing techniques and incorporating technology to ensure a garment moves and functions the way he intends it to, there were many things about his legacy that make him an unforgettable and vital part of contemporary fashion.
All over the world, fashion and design experts and enthusiasts alike are paying tribute to the late designer and celebrating the iconic works that made up his revolutionary career.
What a great legacy to leave behind. Innovation, thoughtful design without compromising his culture’s influence, true originality + the inspo for a House. Iconic, Issey Miyake.
— Shelby Ivey Christie (@bronze_bombSHEL) August 9, 2022
today the angels got their pleats rip issey miyake
— L.A.S. (@SartoriallyInc) August 9, 2022
RIP issey miyake — thinking of the time my sister and I stumbled into his making things exhibit in France and saw piles of clothes on the floor pulled up by a string w/ a motor and then shaken to dance. Each piece moved in a different way. Pure delight…. pic.twitter.com/482Xqe5vd4
— zach lieberman (@zachlieberman) August 9, 2022
The New York Times front page honouring Issey Miyake by Sho Shibuya🖤 pic.twitter.com/c9I7RUMZv9
— Outlander Magazine (@StreetFashion01) August 10, 2022
Issey Miyake was truly a genius pic.twitter.com/R80HENNSav
— @ncsweet_ (@ncsweet_) August 9, 2022
RIP Issey Miyake. A brilliant, original mind. Lightness, form, movement, tenderness always. A language of their own that felt both simpler and more advanced than any contemporary. A genius of body, colour, motion and nature, a gift to all of us. pic.twitter.com/x5pS0q2e0a
— ཊལབསརངཧ (@David_Rudnick) August 9, 2022
