Throughout his storied career, iconoclastic Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake has always been driven by innovation and a higher goal to democratise fashion to make it accessible to a diverse array of individuals. No wonder his designs from decades ago still remain timeless and relevant today even as fashion continues to evolve.
Nowhere is Miyake’s forward-looking legacy more apparent than in the groundbreaking Pleats Please Issey Miyake brand. Founded in 1993, this brand has always embraced an inclusive ethos of “freedom and joy” that strongly resonates with millennials and Gen Zers today.
The words “Pleats Please” is spelled out as an abstract prints for the Path series of garments that Issey Miyake has released for the 30th anniversary of its Pleats Please brand.
As the story goes, Miyake had chanced upon a folded scarf in his studio and began experimenting with heat-pleating the fabric to create a three-dimensional texture that did not hinder one’s movement. After many seasons of research, the team ultimately discovered the exact fabric they were looking for – light, soft and with a moderate sheen.
The brand says: “As we developed the fibre, it became wrinkle-resistant, static electricity resistant, comfortable to wear and easy to care for. The garments can be rolled up and carried compactly, and are also versatile enough to be worn for everyday life and formal occasions. The elasticity created by the pleating process allows for ease of movement and adapts to diverse body types.”
This month, Pleats Please also launches a range of pastel designs to usher in the summer season.
The rest, as they say, is history as successive generations of fashion lovers fell in love with the brand’s ethos of multi-functional and versatile clothing that anyone can wear effortlessly. This year, as the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary, it has released two commemorative series of garments as well as an accompanying campaign film.
The first range is titled Path and features an abstract print of the words Pleats Please to embody the alphabets moving freely, just like the wearer. Besides the vivid multi-colour print, there are also chic monochrome ensembles with the collection comprising two tops, two pants and a dress.
The 30th-anniversary collection also comprises the brand’s Monthly Colours series, where the brand’s classic silhouettes are reimagined in vibrant colours including salmon pink, pastel green, light blue and bordeaux. This allows fans to style these iconic sculptural pieces in an array of colour coordinations and also with the Path series with ease. With stylish tops, fluid trousers, a tunic, cardigan and dress, this is certainly a versatile collection to incorporate into one’s wardrobe.
For further inspiration, check out the dynamic campaign video, where models jump and frolic in Pleats Please garments, with each leap representing a musical note. Together in motion, they embody a lively symphony exactly what an Issey Miyake creation represents.
The collection is available at Pleats Please Issey Miyake stores in Takashimaya S.C., The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Voco Orchard
