A Brief History of Comme des Garçons Collaborations

Few other designers have embodied boundary-breaking ideas in art more than Rei Kawakubo. Blazing a trail over the last two decades, the Japanese designer’s fashion house has come through with a stunning line-up of sneaker collaborations, blurring the lines between fashion and streetwear thanks to their idiosyncratic charm. That said, unlike CdG’s maximalist garbs, the sneakers we’ve seen over the years often opt for a clean aesthetic, allowing the garments on the runway to take centre stage.

Kawakubo hasn’t built this empire alone – she’s been supported by a long list of loyal disciples, most notably protégé Junya Watanabe. Over time, the brand has expanded into a myriad of sub-lines, each with their very own sneaker link-ups. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of CdG collaborations, so we’re playing guide. Here’s a look back at Rei Kawakubo’s brightest gems, along with a few deep-cuts.