Jacket and gloves
1982
Holes collection, autumn-winter 1982–83
Medium
wool, triacetate, plastic (buttons), cotton (binding)
Measurements
(a) 94.5 cm (centre back) 58.5 cm (sleeve length) (jacket)
(b-c) 31.0 × 15.0 × 14.5 cm (each) (gloves)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Takamasa Takahashi and David Tune, 2025
Gallery location
Level 3, NGV International
About this work
Rei Kawakubo graduated from Keio University in 1964 with a degree in Literature and Fine Art. After working first as a stylist, she began designing her own clothes and established Comme des Garçons (‘like some boys’) in 1969. Despite her lack of formal training, Kawakubo courted critical and commercial success. The Holes collection marked an important milestone of her career, in which she presented knitwear intentionally distressed with holes, which she later termed ‘lace’. Also notable was the use of layered and asymmetrical silhouettes with references to uniforms and military clothing.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Japan
Inscription
(a) label, left front, woven in gold on black acetate: COMME des GARÇONS
(b) label, right seamline, woven in gold on black acetate: COMME des GARÇONS
(c) label, left seamline, printed in ink on white acetate: COMME des GARCONS
Accession Number
2025.278.a-c
Department
International Fashion and Textiles