Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake has died

The Issey Miyake Studio and Issey Miyake Group shared the news that the late designer passed away on 5 August from liver cancer.

Renowned avant-garde fashion designer and innovator Issey Miyake has died in hospital in Tokyo aged 84. Miyake rose to prominence in the 1970s, with his work over the years defined by technology-driven designs, bold, colourful styles and origami-like pleats – the latter of which earned him the title ‘Prince of Pleats’.

The visionary designer founded the Miyake Design Studio in 1970 and went on to create a range of fashion lines as well fragrances. Miyake’s designs have been worn by the likes of Miles Davis and Grace Jones and he was responsible for Apple founder Steve Jobs’ signature turtleneck sweaters. Although he officially retired from fashion in 1997 he continued to oversee the creative direction of his company’s fashion lines.

The statement issued by the Issey Miyake Studio and Issey Miyake Group stated that, as per Miyake’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Read a selection of tributes to the late designer below.

RIP Issey Miyake, a visionary and so much more than just a fashion designer. thank you for effortlessly uniting elegance and silliness pic.twitter.com/TciECGoNgk

— colinself (@colinself) August 9, 2022

RIP Issey Miyake. A brilliant, original mind. Lightness, form, movement, tenderness always. A language of their own that felt both simpler and more advanced than any contemporary. A genius of body, colour, motion and nature, a gift to all of us. pic.twitter.com/x5pS0q2e0a

— ཊལབསརངཧ (@David_Rudnick) August 9, 2022