History of Issey Miyake in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 7, 2024

Issey Miyake was a renowned Japanese fashion designer celebrated for his innovative approach to clothing design. His work often incorporated technology, leading to unique and influential creations. Beyond apparel, Miyake's exhibitions and fragrances garnered significant recognition. Notably, his fragrance L'eau d'Issey achieved widespread popularity and became his most famous product.

April 1938: Birth of Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake was born in Hiroshima, Japan in April 1938.

August 1945: Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima

At seven years old, Issey Miyake experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in August 1945.

1964: Graduation from Tama Art University and Enrollment at Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne

Issey Miyake graduates from Tama Art University and enrolls at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in 1964.

1969: Move to New York City and Work with Geoffrey Beene

In 1969, Issey Miyake moved to New York City and worked with designer Geoffrey Beene on Seventh Avenue.

1970: Establishment of Miyake Design Studio

Issey Miyake returned to Tokyo and founded the Miyake Design Studio in 1970.

1991: Geoffrey Beene Praises Issey Miyake's Technique

Renowned designer Geoffrey Beene expressed admiration for Issey Miyake's technique in a 1991 interview with Steven Vita for Veery journal.

March 1992: "Design is for life" quote

In an interview with the International Herald Tribune in March 1992, Issey Miyake famously stated, "Design is not for philosophy—it's for life."

1992: Design for the Lithuanian Olympic Team

Issey Miyake designed the official uniforms for the Lithuanian national team for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

1994: Naoki Takizawa Takes Over Men's Collection

Issey Miyake hands over the design reins of the men's collection to Naoki Takizawa.

1994: Launch of L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme

Issey Miyake launched L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme, a fragrance designed for men, in 1994.

1996: Launch of Guest Artist Series

Issey Miyake initiated the Guest Artist series, collaborating with artists like Yasumasa Morimura, to explore the interaction between art and fashion.

1997: Issey Miyake Steps Back from Fashion Design

Despite stepping back from designing individual collections in 1997, Issey Miyake continued to oversee the overall direction of all lines produced by his company.

1999: Conclusion of Guest Artist Series

Issey Miyake concludes the Guest Artist Series, having collaborated with various artists, including Nobuyoshi Araki, Tim Hawkinson, and Cai Guo-Qiang, to explore the fusion of art and wearable fashion.

1999: Naoki Takizawa Takes Over Women's Collection

Issey Miyake hands over the design lead for the women's collection to Naoki Takizawa.

2004: Introduction of L'eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme

Issey Miyake introduced a new fragrance for men, L'eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme, in 2004.

2006: Release of L'eau Bleue d'Issey Eau Fraiche

Issey Miyake released L'eau Bleue d'Issey Eau Fraiche, an evolution of the L'eau Bleue d'Issey Pour Homme fragrance in 2006.

June 2007: Release of L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense

The men's fragrance, L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense, was launched in June 2007 at Nordstrom in the United States.

September 2007: Global Release of L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense

Issey Miyake launched L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense globally in September 2007.

2007: Naoki Takizawa Establishes Own Brand and Dai Fujiwara Becomes Creative Director

Naoki Takizawa launched his own brand and Dai Fujiwara takes on the role of Creative Director for the House of Issey Miyake.

2008: Launch of 'Reflections in a Drop' Fragrance

Issey Miyake introduced 'Reflections in a Drop,' a limited-edition fragrance for women, in 2008.

2009: Public Disclosure of Hiroshima Experience

In 2009, Issey Miyake publicly spoke about surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during Barack Obama's advocacy for nuclear disarmament.

2012: Co-Director of 21 21 DESIGN SIGHT

Issey Miyake became one of the co-directors of 21 21 DESIGN SIGHT, Japan's first design museum.

2012: New Designers for Men's and Women's Collections

Yoshiyuki Miyamae and Yusuke Takahashi are appointed as head designers for the women's and men's collections, respectively.

March 2016: Issey Miyake Retrospective at The National Art Center, Tokyo

A major retrospective of Issey Miyake's work, spanning his 45-year career, was held at The National Art Center in Tokyo in March 2016.

August 2022: Death of Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake passed away in August 2022, at the age of 84, due to liver cancer.

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