Issey Miyake Biography

History and Biography of Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake is one of the world’s most innovative fashion designers and is the first Asian fashions designer to gain worldwide fame. Miyake was born in Hiroshima Japan in 1938. His mother was badly burned by the atomic bomb that was dropped on the city when Miyake was seven years old and she died four years later. Despite the tragedy that was caused by the American bomb that dropped on his city, it was the influence of the occupying American soldiers that introduced Miyake to western culture and set his foot along the path of design.

As a child Miyake was very influenced by his sisters fashion magazines and admired the lines of the clothing and how they would drape over a body. He was also inspired by the images of Hiro, Richard Avendon and Andy Warhol. In 1959 Miyake went to Tama Art University in Tokyo to major in graphic arts. His fashion designs were featured in a theatrical event that showcased his view of fashion as art. After graduating from Tama Miyake went to Paris to study haute couture and received an apprenticeship as assistant designer to Guy Laroche. Miyake then received an offer from Hubert de Givenchy to work in his design house. It was while working for Givenchy that Miyake worked on hundreds of sketches that were seen by many clients including the duchess of Windsor and Audrey Hepburn.

After studying in Paris for over a year Miyake moved to New York City to work on designs for everyday people. While in New York he attended Columbia University and Hunter College and was mentored by Geoffrey Beene.

Miyake moved back to Tokyo in 1970 and founded the Miyake Design Studio and experimented with different blends of fabric. He garnered much exposure after Bloomingdales offered him a small section in their store to display his fashions. Miyake had his first show in Tokyo in 1971 and his global career was launched. He also had a successful show in Paris in 1973.

Miyake continue to grow in popularity and even launched a successful perfume line in 1992 as well as a line of body care products, lotions and creams. Throughout his illustrious career Miyake has continued to introduce innovative and successful clothing ideas made for the everyday person.

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