Vintage 1997 Comme des Garcons Lump & Bump Dress

Detail: Iconic vintage Comme des Garcons dress from the “Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body" collection, through which the designer intended to unify body lines with the dress. Also known as the "Lumps & Bumps collection for spring summer 1997. 

Full length fitted pull-over dress, in a medium weight woven grey and cream wool mix fabric; offering excellent stretch, as it was intended to be worn with a padded lump & bump vest under garment. Beautifully constructed in a tube style with boat neckline and sleeveless armholes of differential size.

In 20th century fashion, the natural beauty of the human body was valued above all. However, this trend placed restrictions on dressmaking. Kawakubo tried to eliminate the stagnant relationship between the human body and the clothes that limited each other's development; that is, the human body restricted the clothes, while the clothes restricted the body. Merce Cunningham (1919–2009), an eminent choreographer, was inspired by the collection to produce the dance performance "Scenario" (1997).Video Link

Rei Kawakubo continues to explore new ways of expression, and stands at the very edge of fashion language, and its relationship with culture and the arts in general.

Period: Spring Summer 1997

Colour: Grey & Cream

Sizing: UK10. Bust 32" stretch to 37". Waist 32" stretch to 37". Hips 32" stretch to 37". Length 58"

Fabric: 67% Wool, 23% Nylon

Condition: Excellent / near perfect

Origin: Manufactured in Japan

Care: Dry Clean

Grey and cream Comme des Garcons lumps and bump dress 1997.

Rei Kawakubo studied fine art at Keio University, Tokyo, and then went on to work for the advertising department of a chemical company. Disillusioned, she progressed to styling - an unusual occupation at the time. Comme des Garçons was established in 1973; two years later Kawakubo showed in Tokyo, and opened her first shop a year after that. Comme des Garçons has populist appeal: there are more than 300 outlets in 33 countries worldwide. Rei Kawakubo was the first to use `real' people as catwalk models, including Hollywood stars Dennis Hopper, Matt Dillon, John Malkovich and John Hurt. Wearer of austere expressions and giver of few interviews, Kawakubo said, in Rei Kawakubo and Comme des Garçons (1990), `What I do is concerned with the long term, and yet fashion is cyclical. It is a paradox, but it doesn't bother me. It's always exciting to do a new collection. Vintage Comme des Garcons "Body-Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body" collection summer 1997.