Issey Miyake Passes On At Age 84; The Man Behind Steve Jobs’ Turtlenecks & More
Think of Japanese fashion, and Issey Miyake is probably the first designer that comes to mind. The iconic creative took over Paris by storm with his wearable take on the city’s avant-garde haute-couture, with innovative lines including the ‘Pleats Please’ collection and the cult-favorite Bao Bao bag.
According to the Agence France-Presse, Miyake was part of an exciting wave of young Japanese designers that first found themselves in France in the mid-1970s.
Inspired to “bring beauty and joy” through his creations after witnessing the devastation in Hiroshima, he turned to high-tech, comfortable outfits that were fashion-forward, yet fuss-free for the everyday individual.
For example, the designer’s landmark Pleats Please collection featured permanently pleated clothing that never creased, allowing the artistic pieces to be worn without hassle. Plus, Miyake was the brain behind Steve Jobs’ ubiquitous black turtlenecks, having made over 100 for the Apple co-founder.
The publication noted that the Japanese had been the one to pioneer the A-POC (A Piece Of Cloth) concept, which shocked the fashion world by using computer programming to cut entire garments without leaving behind any seams.
Nikkei reported that the world-renowned designer had passed away due to liver cancer, aged 84; with the funeral having already been held.
During his time, Miyake had been the recipient of several high-profile awards, including Japan’s Person of Cultural Merit in 1998, the Order of Culture in 2010, and the Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur by the French Government in 2016.
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[via South China Morning Post and Nikkei, cover image via Hsinhuei Chiou (CC BY-SA 4.0)]
