Issey Miyake

Fashion designer, born in Hiroshima, S Japan. After studying at Tama Art University in Toyko, he spent six years in Paris and New York City fashion houses. He showed his first collection in Tokyo in 1963, and founded his studio there in 1971. His first subsequent show was in New York City the same year, followed by one in Paris in 1973. His distinctive style combines Eastern and Western influences in garments which have an almost theatrical quality. Loose fitting, but with dramatic often asymmetric outline, his clothes achieve richness by varied textures, weaves, and patterns rather than by colour.

Miyake studied graphic design at the Tama Art University in Tokyo, graduating in 1964.

In the late 80s, he began to experiment with new methods of pleating that would allow both flexibility of movement for the wearer as well as ease of care and production. This eventually resulted in a new technique called garment pleating and in 1993's "Pleats Please" in which the garments are cut and sewn first, then sandwiched between layers of paper and fed into a heat press, where they are pleated.

In 1994 and 1999, Miyake turned over the design of the men's and women's collections respectively, to his associate, Naoki Takizawa, so that he could return to research.

Like many fashion designers, Issey Miyake also has a line of perfumes. A new as-yet-unnamed Issey Miyake men's fragrance will be introduced worldwide in September 2006. Issey Miyake fragrances are produced under a long-term agreement by the Beauté Prestige International division of Shiseido, who also produces fragrances for Narciso Rodriguez and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Miyake has stores in Tokyo, Paris, New York, and London.

He was mentioned in a song by Pet Shop Boys, Flamboyant.