Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake has unfortunately passed away at age 84 after a fight with hepatocellular carcinoma. Designer passed away in a Tokyo hospital surrounded by close friends and associates according to the brief statement from Miyake Design Studio and the Issey Miyake Group. There will be no funeral or memorial service, per the designer’s wishes.
Never one to embrace trends, Miyake’s dynamic spirit was driven by a relentless curiosity and desire to convey joy through the medium of design. Always a pioneer, Miyake both embraced traditional handcrafts but also looked to the next solution: the newest technology driven by research and development. He never once stepped back from his love, the process of making things. He continued to work with his teams, creating new designs and supervising all collections under the various Issey Miyake labels. His spirit of joy, empowerment and beauty will be carried on by the next generations. – Issey Miyake Group for WWD
Miyake founded his design studio in 1970 which was famous for his innovative, colorful and practical designs. His designs were mostly inspired by artist Isamu Noguchi, french designer Madeleine Vionnet and sculptors such as Brancusi and Giacommetti. He was also one of the first Japanese designers to show his pieces at Paris Fashion Week, bringing Japan on the fashion map. In the late 80s he started experimenting with pleats, which later became one of the signature styles of his collections. When designing he always thought about the ease of movement and comfort, while still making the pieces extra fashionable and stylish. Designer also launched a series of best-selling parfums such as L’Eau d’Issey, Fusion Dissey, A Drop D’Issey and more. Under his direction Issey Miyake Group introduced brands such as IM Men, Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, Pleats Please Issey Miyake, A-POC, Bao Bao Issey Miyake and more. The designer withdrawn from the brands creative process in 1997, but he always observed and directed the way for his brands.
