A Hiroshima-born designer's studio famous for pleats, technology-driven fabric, and Steve Jobs's black turtleneck
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1970 — best known for innovative pleated fashion design.
HISTORY
Issey Miyake, born in Hiroshima in 1938, studied graphic design in Tokyo before working in Paris and New York fashion houses. After returning to Japan, he founded the Miyake Design Studio in Tokyo in 1970, pursuing a design philosophy centered on 'a piece of cloth' — exploring the relationship between the body and fabric rather than following Western tailoring conventions.
Miyake became internationally known for technical innovation, including the Pleats Please line launched in 1993, which used heat-set permanent pleating to create garments that were easy to wear and travel with, and the geometric Bao Bao bag introduced in 2000. His work extended beyond fashion into design objects and even Steve Jobs's signature black turtleneck. Miyake passed away in 2022, and the label continues under the design studio he founded.
PRODUCTS
Permanently pleated, easy-care clothing line launched in 1993
Geometric triangle-mesh bag line introduced in 2000
'A Piece of Cloth' concept producing garments from a single tube of fabric
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.