Comme des Garçons / Dames

Comme des Garçons is the brainchild of Japanese fashion rebel Rei Kawakubo. What began as a side business making costume for styling assignments in Tokyo in the late sixties, has morphed into an international fashion empire. Though earlier pieces bent the edge of avant-garde—think three armed jackets and face-shielding turtlenecks —recent collections have been a bit more mainstream, though always surprising and exciting. If you like this label, also take a look at its diffusion line Comme des Garçons Play.