What is Comme des Garçons?
Comme des Garçons, often abbreviated as CDG, is a Japanese fashion label founded by the enigmatic and revolutionary designer Rei Kawakubo in 1969. The name, meaning "like boys" in French, captures Kawakubo’s early intention to subvert traditional gender norms and challenge preconceived ideas of beauty and fashion. Over the decades, CDG has become a global symbol of avant-garde fashion, pioneering deconstruction, asymmetry, and anti-fashion aesthetics long before they became mainstream.
Rei Kawakubo: The Visionary Behind the Brand
Born in Tokyo in 1942, Rei Kawakubo didn't originally train in fashion—her background is in fine arts and literature. This unique perspective helped her to break free from the rigid expectations of the fashion world. Her pieces often resemble wearable art, characterized by unfinished seams, exaggerated proportions, monochromatic palettes, and deliberate asymmetry.
Kawakubo introduced Comme des Garçons to Paris in 1981, and the debut was met with shock and awe. Dubbed the “Hiroshima chic” collection, the all-black, shredded garments confused the traditional fashion establishment. However, this was exactly Kawakubo’s point—to disrupt, to provoke, and to create something truly original.
The Expansion of the CDG Universe
From its humble Tokyo beginnings, Comme des Garçons has grown into a multifaceted brand empire with numerous sub-labels, each offering a different facet of Kawakubo’s vision. These include:
- Comme des Garçons Homme
- Comme des Garçons Noir
- Comme des Garçons Comme des Garçons
- CDG Play
- CDG Shirt
- CDG (graphic line launched in 2018)
Each sub-line caters to different tastes, price points, and styles, yet all remain tied together by the brand’s commitment to innovation and boundary-pushing design.
CDG Shirt: Where Classic Menswear Meets Avant-Garde Cool
The Origin of CDG Shirt
Launched in 1988, CDG Shirt was created to bridge the gap between Comme des Garçons’ high-concept runway collections and more wearable, everyday fashion. While CDG’s main line often features sculptural, unconventional pieces, CDG Shirt offers more practical garments—think button-downs, trousers, outerwear—but always with a twist.
CDG Shirt Design Aesthetic
While at first glance a CDG Shirt piece might look like a simple dress shirt or jacket, the details tell another story. Common design elements include:
- Asymmetric tailoring
- Unconventional fabric combinations
- Bold color blocking
- Patchwork and paneling
- Iconic heart logos (especially in crossover lines like CDG Play)
Even with these wild flourishes, CDG Shirt garments remain versatile enough for daily wear, making them a favorite among fashion-forward professionals, creatives, and celebrities.
Why CDG Shirt Matters in Fashion
CDG Shirt is often seen as an entry point into the Comme des Garçons universe. It offers a balance between Kawakubo's visionary design language and wearable, functional fashion. For younger consumers or those not ready to go full avant-garde, CDG Shirt provides a stylish compromise.
CDG Play: The Heart Logo That Won the World
Although not the focus here, it’s worth mentioning CDG Play, the most commercially successful sub-label of the brand. Featuring the instantly recognizable red heart-with-eyes logo designed by Polish artist Filip Pagowski, CDG Play is sold worldwide and has become a streetwear staple.
This iconic branding also carries over into some CDG Shirt and Converse collaborations, making it an integral part of the brand’s global identity
