Art and fashion have always had a fascinating dynamic. Rei Kawakubo, Creative Director of Comme des Garçons (“Like some boys”) enjoys playing with this concept. Her collections go beyond conventional realms and embrace an innovative, artistic vision that’s unparalleled. At the press preview for her latest exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between, this vision shined. The exhibit looks at abstract, hybrid, and ambiguous concepts within the multi-layered world of fashion. Nine dual spaces appear in this exhibit: absence/presence; design/ not design; fashion/anti-fashion; model/multiple; high/low, then/now; self/other; object/subject; and clothes/not clothes. Rei aims to connect these “in-between” spaces and develop new possibilities.

The press preview’s speakers examined this connectivity and limitlessness:

Kawakubo “pushes the boundaries of design to create a new aesthetic vocabulary.”- Thomas P. Campbell, Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rei excels at “celebrating playfulness within a rigid formality.” -Caroline Kennedy, Former US Ambassador to Japan

She believes that “the body has no bounds and that the potential of clothing is limitless.”-Andrew Bolton, Head Curator of The Costume Institute

Their praise and passion for Rei’s work is impressive. They understand and look up to her creative genius, her ability to work with art and fashion, and her talent at breaking barriers.

Her exhibit is truly unlike any other I’ve even seen. It’s divided up into well-lit spaces where you can get up close to the designs. You get to interact with them. I like how the clothes are ambiguous and unusual yet beautiful and captivating in such an impactful way.  They have the power of changing or expanding your perspective on fashion and its intersection with art.

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between is on view at the museum until September 4. It’s definitely worth a visit!