If you ever get the chance to attend a Comme Des Garçons show, be fair-warned that its legendary founder Rei Kawakubo will be nowhere in sight. Unlike most designers, she has no interest in doing a final bow on the runway. And if you’re lucky enough to sneak backstage and get first scoop on the collection, it will be her life partner and the president of her anti-fashion empire Adrian Joffe who will do all the talking.
Joffe first joined Comme Des Garçons in 1987, later marrying Kawakubo in 1992. While he lives in Paris, and she in Tokyo, the duo have found ways to keep their love alive while growing their trailblazing business ventures from the cult-coveted Comme Des Garçons Parfums (that now celebrates its 20th year) to the multi-brand concept store Dover Street Market that boasts off-beat locations in Paris, New York, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
