08/31/2026
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Issey Miyake | 1938-2022
Some designers follow tradition. Issey Miyake reinvented it.
Known for sculptural silhouettes, revolutionary pleated garments, and a relentless curiosity about how clothing moves with the human body, Miyake spent his career asking one simple question: "How can fashion make life better?"
He pioneered techniques that transformed a single piece of fabric into wearable art, blending Japanese craftsmanship with modern technology in ways the fashion world had never seen before. His iconic PLEATS PLEASE collection proved that clothing could be wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, comfortable, and undeniably beautifulâall at the same time.
Issey Miyake is also the designer responsible for Steve Jobs' iconic black mock turtleneck. Jobs reportedly owned dozens of Miyake's black mock turtlenecks, which became part of his signature style. It wasn't about fashion; it was about removing one decision from his day so he could focus on his work.
But perhaps his greatest legacy wasn't a garment. It was his philosophy.
As a seven-year-old, he survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. His mother was severely injured and later died from radiation exposure. For decades, he almost never spoke publicly about it. When asked why, he explained that he didn't want people to think of him as "the designer who survived Hiroshima." He wanted them to think about the things he created, not the tragedy he endured.
That perspective says so much about who he was.
Instead of creating fashion rooted in anger or grief, he spent his life creating clothing that celebrated movement, optimism, comfort, and innovation. His designs invited people to move freely, to live fully, and to find joy in everyday life.
At Black & Glen, we love celebrating designers who remind us that great style isn't just about how something looks but about how it makes you feel.
What do you think? Is fashion at its best when it pushes boundaries?
