In the realm of fashion, where trends often come and go, there are few constants as enduring as the visionary creations of Comme des Garçons. As a fashion photographer who has roamed the world’s fashion capitals capturing street style, the Japanese fashion brand has always stood out as a personal favourite. The guests at the brand’s shows are nothing short of a visual spectacle—each event showcases a captivating mix of avant-garde designs, with attendees flaunting eclectic combinations of the latest and archival pieces. This unique approach to fashion makes Comme des Garçons a joy to photograph, offering a rare opportunity to capture street style in its most authentic form.
In stark contrast to the brand’s usual flamboyance, Singapore presents a fascinating backdrop. Known for its more understated fashion and challenging weather, Singapore seems an unlikely setting for the bold, volumetric designs of Comme des Garçons. This very juxtaposition provides a striking canvas for my latest photography project. Amidst the city’s conventional mass-market attire, the brand’s pieces stand out, highlighting the personal style and creative expression of those who wore them.
Through this project, I’ve uncovered a tapestry of insights into Singapore’s Comme des Garçons community. These collectors are driven not by the brand’s luxury status but by a deep appreciation for its design and philosophy. What stands out among the collectors I have photographed is their genuine love for Rei Kawakubo’s artistry. Her designs transcend mere fashion, embodying a form of art that challenges norms and pushes boundaries. Rei’s creations are more than just clothing—they are wearable art that seamlessly blends functionality with unexpected beauty, one avid Singaporean collector notes.
Rei Kawakubo’s philosophy of relentless exploration and innovation has solidified Comme des Garçons as a brand that’s both ahead of its time and deeply influential. For those who delve into its expansive range, the fashion brand quickly becomes more than a fashion choice—it’s an addiction to the transformative power of design. As this project reveals, the allure of Comme des Garçons in Singapore is not just about making a statement; it’s about connecting with a design philosophy that resonates on a deeply personal level.
Below, discover Leong’s photographs of collectors in Singapore—and the stories behind their beloved clothes.
Matilda Patricia Wuysan
“The blue pinafore dress from Spring/Summer 2020 is one of my very first Comme des Garçons pieces. It holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I wear my Comme des Garçons pieces out, I feel so special and happy. I think what sets them apart is how versatile and unique the pieces are. I think it’s also [Kawakubo’s] design language, how she plays with different shapes and silhouettes and how consistent her designs are. Once you see it, you know it’s Comme des Garçons.” — Matilda Patricia Wuysan
Joe Kean and Nicole Toh
“I buy from all the lines under Comme des Garçons, including the main line, Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, and Comme des Garçons Black. I began collecting in 2021. I was studying fashion design in NAFA back then, with no fashion knowledge or background before my studies. Comme des Garçons’s runway shows inspired me as a student. I loved the idea of Rei Kawakubo creating garments like an art piece, or garments with asymmetrical shapes or unconventional construction, even with no armhole!” — Joe Kean
Caroline Lim
“I fell down the CDG rabbit hole over 20 years ago in the late ‘90s and never looked back! Every Comme des Garçons piece is meaningful in its own special way, which turned me into a lifelong fan of Rei Kawakubo. Her designs defy gender stereotypes and are very free-spirited, which I strongly resonate with. Unlike other designers, pieces [by Kawakubo] are timeless. You can throw on a Comme des Garçons piece 20 years later and it’s still fashionable.” Any interesting tidbits about your collection? “Let’s just say I have had more than one TSA officer at the airport trying to figure out what’s going on in my suitcase!” — Caroline Lim
Parveen Hassanbhai
“I started collecting Comme des Garçons pieces about over a decade ago. I was introduced to the brand when it had its Guerilla store in Singapore. My cousin bought me my first Comme des Garçons outfit from there, which I still have. That moment sparked a deep admiration for Rei Kawakubo’s work and ignited my journey as a collector. I appreciate the bold, conceptual approach that she takes in her designs. Her philosophy that ‘for something to be beautiful, it doesn’t have to be pretty’ resonated with me on a personal level. I have been lucky to acquire a few archival Comme des Garçons pieces. Each item in my collection has a story, whether it’s the way I stumbled upon or the connections I made with other collectors during my search.” — Parveen Hassanbhai
Mervin Tan and Cheryl Sim
“We began collecting Comme des Garçons when we went thrift shopping in Tokyo. We found very well-kept pieces at very reasonable prices. Because of our background in architecture, we like the idea of a methodology and approach [to design]. There’s a beauty of having a collective approach and clarity in works that comes out from the house. We like to buy pieces that are more wearable. We don’t necessarily subscribe to every single piece there is, but we enjoy the difference in the silhouette or form or treatment that just makes a simple blazer or skirt more interesting.” Which pieces in your collection mean the most to you? “Our wedding pieces! We like that they were simple but yet loud in form and flow.” — Mervin Tan and Cheryl Sim
Sean Siong and Chris Ong Ujine
“I began collecting Comme des Garçons in 2004, when the brand first opened its Guerilla pop-up store in Singapore by local design maverick Theseus Chan. I really love and respect the concept of ‘wear your freedom’—basically, to have the freedom to wear what you like, which the brand epitomises. And even though Rei Kawakubo has said that her clothes are not art, Comme des Garçons clothes to me are like wearable art and collecting them feels like collecting art to me.” Which pieces in your collection mean the most to you? “One of the most special collections to me is the Fall/Winter 2014 ‘Monster’ collection. I managed to get a jacket with an oversized knitted cage worn over it and it’s one of my favourite pieces in my collection.” Any interesting tidbits about your collection? “Due to space constraints, my room is filled with Comme des Garçons pieces. They are everywhere—in paper bags on the floor, on my bed and in closets. So I sleep with all my collection around me!” — Sean Siong
“I began collecting Comme des Garçons more than 20 years ago! One of the earliest memories I have [as a collector] was visiting the Comme des Garçons Guerilla store that was first brought into Singapore in 2004 by Theseus Chan of Werk Magazine. I think having so many of the brand’s items so readily available to me in one dedicated space set off the consumerist and collector in me. Comme des Garçons was the first fashion brand that resonated with me, not just fashion-wise, but on many other levels, such as design philosophy and visual communications.” What sets Comme des Garçons apart from other fashion brands? “A singular vision, avant-garde designs, and sometimes a total disrespect of the human body and how clothes should fit, thanks to the uncompromising Rei Kawakubo. She challenges how people perceive fashion, ought to wear clothes and express themselves sartorially.” — Chris Ong Ujine
Stephanie Cahyadi
What inspired you to start collecting Comme des Garçons? “It all began with a few factors—I started gaining weight, and suddenly, none of my clothes fit me well anymore. Luckily, my partner, who shares my love for fashion, has been incredibly supportive throughout my style evolution. He often surprises me with pieces from emerging brands, encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone. I’ve admired Comme des Garçons since 2012, but my partner was the one who truly shifted my perspective, helping me appreciate the value of quality and avant-garde clothing. So, 10 years later, I finally bought my first skirt from the brand. And ever since then, I just couldn’t stop buying!” Any interesting tidbits about your collection? “There’s one piece with an interesting story behind it—a Comme des Garçons Girl skirt from the Fall/Winter 2022 collection. It had been on my wish list for ages. When I saw it on sale last October, I knew I had to get it. But the next day, just as I was about to make the purchase, it went out of stock. I was devastated and vented to my boyfriend about it. Then, with a completely straight face, he said, ‘I was the one who bought it.’ I couldn’t believe it and screamed!” — Stephanie Cahyadi
Jean Lee and May Lee
“I began collecting the brand in 2012. I was (and still am) into Japanese designers. My interest started with Yohji Yamamoto and naturally progressed to Comme des Garçons. I respect Rei Kawakubo a lot as a woman, a designer, and as a businesswoman. She has never conformed to societal rules and has always tried to present her most authentic designs and self. That’s something that has been scarce, especially now.” — Jean Lee
“I started collecting secondhand Comme des Garçons clothes during my university days. The designs make an ordinary and unassuming person like me feel comfortable and confident. The trust and assurance that you have for the brand’s choice of materials and workmanship change the way you value your clothes. The pieces in my collection that mean the most to me are a Comme Comme collared dress with light ruffles, and a pair of dress shoes from Hokkaido. They were a graduation gift from my mum.” — May Lee
This story originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of GRAZIA Singapore.
READ MORE
Nicole Wong’s Guide To The Vibrant City Of Tokyo
Meet Mikio Sakabe Of Grounds, The Japanese Designer Turning Impossible Shoes Into A Reality
Blackpink’s Jennie Spotlights A Young Tamil Fashion Designer In Her ‘Mantra’ Music Video