Some fashion brands’ fans are cult-like in their devotion, with the likes of Rick Owens and Thom Browne stirring something akin to obsession up in their followers – decked out head-to-toe in dark distressed denim, jersey, and leather or preppy, four-stripe tailoring respectively, their wardrobes reflect a lifestyle rather than a passing fad, so devout are they in their sartorial devotion.
Comme des Garçons’ ‘Crows’ know something about this. Across the 70s and 80s when Rei Kwawkubo’s fledgling label was still in its infancy, its fans earned themselves the nickname. It probably wouldn’t take a genius to figure out why – decked out in voluminous garments that rarely broke away from black and grey hues, Comme fans gathered together like flocks of spooky birds in Tokyo and beyond.
Now, Comme Crows across the generations are getting their own intimate exhibition, taking place at Aro Archive in Shoreditch. The East London showroom and store will be transformed across the month of August as a swathe of uber rare pieces spanning Kawakubo’s 50 year career go on display. Week one is set to be dedicated to the dark aesthetics of her biggest fans, while week two will hone in on the whimsical, playful red thread that runs through Comme’s collections – notably, a number of pieces from the iconic 1997 offering “Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body”.
Better known as the ‘Lumps and Bumps’ collection, its influence on fashion to this day can’t be understated, with Marc Jacobs and new Jean Paul Gaultier creative director Duran Lantink just a couple of the designers who’ve recently been inspired by its sculptural pieces.
Aro Archive is a go-to for fans of Comme des Garçons and specialised in finding even the most difficult to locate pieces for clients. And while fans of the brand can pop in to see the pieces on show for free, for those with a bit of cash to splash and a Comme-shaped hole in their wardrobe can shop most of the garments on display. The exhibition opens this Friday (August 1) and runs until August 17. Head to Aro Archive’s Instagram for more details.