Drake in CdG Shirt & Engineered Garments
In many respects, none of which are negative, it is far easier to say what Comme des Garcons Shirt is not, rather than what it is. This sub brand sits somewhere between Comme des Garcons Play and Homme Deux (A formal sub-brand of Comme des Garcons generally available in Japan), combining the luxuries of tailoring with styling aimed toward a younger generation. The name itself denotes that collections are Shirt focussed and considering this sub-brand launched in 1988, its continuing popularity suggests that this niche middle-ground has been struck perfectly.
For buyers at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, the Comme des Garcons Shirt show – normally within the Comme des Garcons buildings of the Place Vendôme - signals the end of Comme des Garcons shows for the season, and the opening of the showroom. Designed by Rei Kawakubo herself, the collections incorporate feelings and some detailing from the more avant-garde lines, whilst toning them down to create an unquestionably, wearable feel.
Shirts within the collection are often elevated to a statement level normally saved for outerwear, with inserted jersey, or shirts-over-shirts forming a single garment not uncommon…just so we don’t miss out on the luxury fabrics, patterns and colourways. The idea of using specialist fabrics continues into Comme des Garcons Shirt collaborations, with companies such as Hammerthor, with over 100 years of under garment manufacture and Heschung, with over 70 years of footwear manufacture. This demonstrates the focus of quality and integrity put into each collection.
2010 saw the launch of Comme des Garcons Shirt Forever, a continuous project which means that with a choice of five fitting variations, you can have the shirt you want in a wide array of colours and cuts, however you prefer. Who was it that said Comme des Garcons clothes were not made for real people?