Comme des Garçons has been a household name among fashion lovers for years. So to celebrate the opening of the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between Exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, we've been chatting to some of our favourite male fashion influencers to find out why they love the iconic brand.
Aaron Wester
What do you do for a living?
'After working for more than 10 years as a visual merchandising manager for a major retail company, I left to start a menswear, lifestyle and travel blog called The Modern Otter. It's grounded in the idea that the more you know about your goods, the more you are willing to invest in quality.'
How would you describe your style?
'Causal luxury mixed with accessible classics… usually in navy and gray!'
What do you love about Comme des Garçons?
'I love that Rei Kawakubo challenges how we perceive fashion. Her runway collections aren’t really wearable and her designs aren’t intended to attract a partner. She makes clothing that is unique and thought provoking and meant to make the wearer feel great. I also love that all of Comme des Garcons' garments are handmade. It all goes back to the importance of the story behind your clothing.'
Isaac Hindin-Miller
What do you do for a living?
'I work as a DJ and writer at my blog Isaac Likes specializing in relationship advice and fashion for publications like Man Repeller, The New York Times, GQ & Esquire.'
How would you describe your style?
'That's a really hard question because it changes so much, but there are key things I love. Giant oversized coats with cool T-shirts underneath, cropped pants with white socks, heavy soled black leather shoes, loud printed short sleeve shirts, suits with T-shirts like 90s restaurant owners used to wear and I'm currently going back to my teenage roots and re-embracing skater style.'
What do you love about Comme des Garçons?
'Comme des Garcons has been one of my favorite brands for as long as I've loved fashion. Probably the thing I love most about Comme is that there is literally something for anybody, no matter how freaky or conservative your style might be, and no matter how deep your pockets are. When I was younger and broke I'd save up my dollars and dip my toe in the Comme water with the fragrances (Comme 2 is an all-time favorite), leather pouch wallets, and everything Comme des Garcons Play; but as I've grown older I'm more and more obsessed with Comme's takes on really simple pieces, like the blue worker jacket I'm wearing in this photo — it's a classic Carhartt or Dickies style, but cut in the most beautiful indigo blue textured cotton. There are also all these little details that I love, like the over-dyed garment tags on the inside and the slubby cotton that you'd only see if you looked at it up close.'
Sabir M. Peele
What do you do for a living?
'I’m a men’s style blogger behind the site Men’s Style Pro. Outside of running Men’s Style Pro, I serve as an independent consultant for lifestyle brands.'
How would you describe your style?
'My style is a hard mix of tailored wear and sportswear. One day my style may be completely buttoned-up in a three pieces and Oxfords and the next day I’ll be rocking tailored joggers, sneakers and a leather biker jacket.'
What do you love about Comme des Garçons?
'Comme des Garçons has always been a brand that’s caught my eye because they’ve always managed to tweak traditional menswear in all the right ways. From the iconic heart graphic to the patchwork blazers, their eye for “tailored whimsy” turns each piece of clothing into an experience.'
Freddy Rodriguez
What do you do for a living?
'I am a full time lifestyle and menswear blogger for my website Blue Perk. My husband and I create daily menswear inspiring photos with our own colorful take. We find new locations in Brooklyn, New York City and on our travels mixing fashion with everyday walls or murals we discover.'
How would you describe your style?
'I’d describe my style as downtown preppy. It mainly consists of a mixture of structured button up shirts and joggers with sneakers. Typically I gravitate towards the black and white spectrum, although sometimes my style during the warmer months can be quite colorful mixed with stripes.'
What do you love about Comme des Garçons?
'I have always loved Comme des Garçons for their bold avant-garde silhouette and graphics that pack a real punch. Each collection radiates rebellious energy against convention but at the same time is quite wearable.'