Jacket, overdress and pants
1994
Transcending Gender collection, spring-summer 1995
Medium
cotton, rayon, polyester (organza twill), metal and plastic (fastenings)
Measurements
(a) 70.0 cm (centre back) 55.0 cm (sleeve length) (jacket)
(b) 104.0 cm (centre back) 66.0 cm (waist, flat) (overdress)
(c) 96.5 cm (outer leg) 35.0 cm (waist, flat) (pants)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Takamasa Takahashi and David Tune, 2025
Gallery location
Level 3, NGV International
About this work
In the Transcending Gender collection, Kawakubo used tailoring to explore the politics of dress, showcasing how fashion can transcend gender, as suggested in the title. For this collection Kawakubo interrogated ‘masculine’ tailoring codes. Outfits were constructed from pinstripe and chalk stripe fabrics, interspersed with sheer synthetics and cottons, and deconstructed suiting. Male models also appeared in this women’s collection runway presentation.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Japan
Inscription
(a) label, centre back neckline, woven in gold on black acetate: COMME des GARÇONS
(b) label, centre back neckline, printed in ink on white acetate: COMME des GARÇONS
(c) label, centre back waistline, woven in gold on black acetate: COMME des GARÇONS
Accession Number
2025.374.a-c
Department
International Fashion and Textiles