Garments Born from Unfettered Imagination

The "MIYAKE ISSEY Exhibition: The Work of Issey Miyake" at The National Art Center, Tokyo, is an exhibition of unprecedented scale, introducing approximately 45 years of Mr. Miyake's work, from his career's start in 1970 to the present.

With a spirit unbound by convention, Mr. Issey Miyake began by developing his own materials, pursuing the relationship between "a piece of cloth" and the body, and the "ease" and "space" that emerge from it. This exhibition traces his journey of continuous innovation, presenting garments that combine cutting-edge design with comfort, developed through research and experimentation with his team.

Through his entire body of work, from early pieces to his latest projects, this exhibition reveals Mr. Miyake's philosophy on creation and his design approach, exploring the potential for further creative endeavors into the future.

While demonstrating the diversity and richness of his work, the exhibition meticulously details each aspect, proving that Mr. Miyake's garment-making continues to evolve. It is designed to offer everyone, from children to adults, an opportunity to experience the joy of creation.

A Dialogue Between Garment and Body

Abstractly shaped garments only reveal their true form and fulfill their purpose when worn by a person. This is akin to a dialogue between the body and the garment, and the exhibition highlights Mr. Miyake's emphasis on the relationship between cloth and body.


Within this exhibition, the "body" has been designed by Mr. Tokujin Yoshioka. In Room A, it is crafted from "paper," and in Room B, it is presented, created from futuristic "transparent acrylic resin."

This collaborative installation by Mr. Miyake and Mr. Yoshioka expands the free-thinking spirit of MIYAKE ISSEY's creations and serves as an opportunity to stimulate creativity.

"MIYAKE ISSEY Exhibition: The Work of Issey Miyake"
Period: Wednesday, March 16, 2016 – Monday, June 13, 2016
Closed: Tuesdays (Open on Tuesday, May 3rd)
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Fridays until 20:00) Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo, Special Exhibition Gallery 2E
7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
http://2016.miyakeissey.org