Issey Miyake

This definitive history of the life and work of Issey Miyake offers unique insight into the designer’s vision and daring. The book is an encyclopedic reference to Miyake’s material and technical innovations from 1960 to 2022, overseen by Midori Kitamura – the chairman of the Miyake Design Studio who worked alongside Miyake for over 45 years.

“A spectacular retrospective.”

“Presents Miyake's collections with encyclopedic rigor and includes gorgeous campaign shots by lifelong collaborators such as Yuriko Takagi and Irving Penn.”

“Issey Miyake’s work is so complex that it’s almost impossible to define. And this is precisely what TASCHEN aims to achieve with a new volume dedicated to the designer’s career.”

“The book shines in the philosophy and joyous ideas that Miyake has left us.”

“A deep-dive into the materials and techniques at the heart of Miyake’s first successes, long before the creation of the famed Miyake Design Studio.”

“A richly illustrated encyclopedia of Miyake's bold vision and technical innovations, which have given life to mesmerizing pieces.”

"The book by Midori Kitamura and Kazuko Koike is dedicated to the designer's life's work, from grandiose silhouettes to technical innovations."

"A brilliant book about Issey Miyake shows the work of a man and his vision of making the world more beautiful and more meaningful... Take a look at this captivating book – and you'll be amazed."

"No one wrinkled more beautifully than Issey Miyake. An illustrated book shows how intensively the Japanese fashion designer dealt with textile research, fabrics, structures and techniques."

"The clear message is the most successful: Issey Miyake's motto. TASCHEN is publishing an illustrated book about him."

“In 448 colourful pages, the definitive tome on a fashion legend.”

“A beautiful illustrated book.”

“A must have for all fashion lovers, students and designers.”

“The perfect epithet for the enduring impact of his liberating, illuminating garments on the world of fashion.”

“…a definitive timeline of Japanese designer Issey Miyake’s impressive life and work.”

“The encyclopedic collection of photos from museum exhibitions, runway shows, concept drawings and campaigns is proof of Miyake’s devotion to texture and capacity for constant experimentation.”

“I believe there is hope in design. Design evokes surprise and joy in people.”

“TASCHEN dedicates a magnificent book to Miyake that not only recounts his life, but also celebrates his work, which has gone down in contemporary history.”

“Issey Miyake loved to tell stories visually. This book creates the most complete, and up-to-date picture of his life and work.”

Renowned clothing designer Issey Miyake (1938–2022) studied graphic design at Tama Art University, Tokyo, before founding the Miyake Design Studio in 1970, Miyake’s creative base for all his work. In 2007, Miyake opened the design facility 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, also in Tokyo. Midori Kitamura is chairman of the Miyake Design Studio and the Miyake Issey Foundation, and also president of 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, working under Issey Miyake to develop collections, exhibitions, products, and publications, including Pleats Please Issey Miyake , also with TASCHEN. Kitamura directed the 2011 exhibition, Irving Penn and Issey Miyake: Visual Dialogue.