Vintage Comme des Garcons Tartan Knickerbocker Trousers 1981

Detail: Vintage Comme des Garcon tartan knickerbocker trousers (breeches) from 1981. Exquisitely constructed with pleats to front and back waistline, exposed side pocket and side button fastening. Unlined. Should be worn on or just above the natural waist-line. Near mint condition. These vintage Comme des Garcon trousers are a very early example of Rei Kawakubo's work (printed bon label), and thus extremely collectable. 

Period: 1981

Condition: Excellent / Near Mint

Sizing: Extra Small. UK6-8. Waist 25 inches. Hips 35 inches. Length 35 inches. Inseam 23 inches.

Colour: As seen

Fabric: Tartan, 100% Wool

Origin: Japan

Care: Dry Clean

Vintage Comme des Garcons Tartan Knickerbocker Trousers 1981

Daughter of a university lecturer, 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. But it was not until she showed in Paris in 1981 that the full force of the Japanese influence filtered through. What the audience saw was a shock to the system: random ruching, irregular hems, asymmetric seams and crinkled surfaces. Vogue called it `oblique chic'. Despite its unorthodox associations, 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.'