Making Things [Hardcover]

Issey Miyake (Author), Issei Miyake (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When does fashion become "Design"? Clues may be found in this exhibition catalog of innovative garments by one of the first Japanese fashion designers to bridge East and West. Contributor Kazuko Sato surveys the entire course of Miyake's career since the 1960s, curator Herv? Chand?s interviews Miyake about his artistic progress and philosophy, and photographer Raymond Meier presents 50 color photographs from the recent exhibition in Paris. Drawing upon traditional Japanese textile techniques and garment construction, Miyake created a new dynamic between the cloth and the body: never-before-seen "industrial cloth," pleating reminiscent of Japanese lanternsAtwisted, crushed, crumpled, and pressedAand metallic paper heat-pressed onto woven fabric are only a few of Miyake's highly original ideas. These sculptures were a departure point for his signature wrapped and layered ready-to-wear clothes. Readers may remain puzzled about the "beauty" or wearability of many of these garments, but no serious collection on fashion should be without this concise retrospective on one of today's most important designers.ATherese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Scalo Publishers (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 390824708X
• ISBN-13: 978-3908247081
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,873,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MORE THAN CLOTHES!, October 3, 2000

By 

Floradora "littlegloria" (Tasmania Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Making Things (Hardcover)

There is very little in print about Issey Miyake and, as a devotee of most Japanese designers, "Issey Miyake: Making Things" for me is an absolute must! This book is promoting an exhibition held in Paris in 1998-99 but it is much much more than an exhibition catalogue. The photography of course is pretty wonderful - and what I particularly love are the many photos showing the textile manufacturing processes - such as Miyake's updated Fortuny-like pleating.

There is a reasonable amount of informative text explaining the Miyake studio, design processes, the Team, an extended interview with Miyake as well as a reasonably full "portrait" of his life.

For anyone fascinated by textiles, modern design and a whole different approach to clothing, you will love this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miyake--My Favorite Artist-Fashion Designer Bar None, January 17, 2010

By 

carol irvin "carol irvin" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Making Things (Hardcover)

I drool over anything about Issey Miyake. The book of his work done by Irving Penn was one of my all time favorites. This extended exhibition catalog is right up there as well. If all you did was look at the pictures, that is more than most books of fashion design could ever give you. Miyake interprets design for the human form as no one else ever has. He starts with the fabric, conceiving new ways of fabric construction, before he even moves to the garment's design. He is especially well known for all the artful garments he creates with pleating. I now own two of his pleated creations (bought on ebay) and just adore them. For anyone interested in art or fashion, this is a MUST book. My library carried it so yours may as well.