Issey Miyake Quotes

Powerful Issey Miyake for Daily Growth

About Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake, born on April 22, 1938, in Hiroshima, Japan, is a renowned Japanese fashion designer known for his innovative and minimalist designs that blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary styles. After graduating from the Tama Art University in Tokyo, Miyake worked as an apprentice at the famous French fashion house Givenchy, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Hubert de Givenchy. In 1970, Miyake returned to Japan and founded his own label, Issey Miyake. His debut collection in Paris was a critical success, marked by its use of unconventional materials like paper and plastic. One of his most iconic innovations is the Pleats Please line, introduced in 1982, which features garments made from single pieces of fabric, creating a unique pleated effect that allows for easy folding and packing. Miyake's designs are characterized by their simplicity, functionality, and respect for traditional Japanese craftsmanship. He has been influenced by the minimalist aesthetics of Zen Buddhism and the beauty found in natural forms. In 1997, he was appointed a member of the French Legion of Honor, recognizing his significant contribution to the world of fashion. Throughout his career, Miyake has also ventured into other creative fields such as interior design, perfumery, and even architecture. His work continues to push boundaries in the realm of fashion, inspiring a generation of designers worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Always keep your mind young and vibrant."

This quote by Issey Miyake encourages an attitude of continuous learning, adaptability, and open-mindedness throughout one's life. Keeping the mind "young" implies maintaining a flexible and receptive approach to ideas, experiences, and changes. By keeping the mind "vibrant," Miyake suggests a level of energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity that fosters growth and creativity. This quote serves as a reminder to stay open to new perspectives, embrace learning, and nurture a youthful spirit in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

"In order to design something new, you have to get lost in the wilderness of imagination."

This quote by Issey Miyake suggests that true innovation arises from a state of mental exploration beyond the familiar boundaries, or what he metaphorically refers to as 'the wilderness of imagination.' The more we delve into this vast, unexplored realm, the greater our chances are of discovering something truly novel. In other words, genuine creativity is often found in venturing away from conventional thought patterns and taking risks in the realms of the imaginative.

"The future is not something we enter. The future is something we make."

Issey Miyake's quote emphasizes personal responsibility in shaping our future. It suggests that instead of passively waiting for the future to happen, each individual has the power to actively create it by the choices they make and the actions they take today. Essentially, it encourages us to be proactive participants rather than mere observers in the course of life.

"I am interested in the flow of water, the movement of air, and the changing of light."

Issey Miyake's quote expresses his fascination with the natural world's fluidity, dynamism, and transformation. By referencing the flow of water, the movement of air, and the changing of light, he suggests that these elements embody a sense of perpetual motion and adaptability – qualities that inspire him in his design process. This quote indicates an appreciation for the beauty found in the ever-changing world around us, as well as a desire to mimic those natural principles within his own creative endeavors.

"Fashion is a way to express oneself and one's beliefs, but it is also a part of culture and society."

This quote suggests that fashion is not just about clothes or personal style, but it serves as an individual's means of self-expression and representation of their beliefs, values, and identity. Simultaneously, it reflects the larger cultural and societal context from which it emerges. Fashion is a dynamic intersection where personal narratives meet collective norms and values, making it both a creative outlet and a potent mirror reflecting societal trends and changes.

There are no boundaries for what can be fabric.

- Issey Miyake

Boundaries, Fabric, No Boundaries

With imagination and personal creativity, people who sew can design the way they look to suit themselves.

- Issey Miyake

Design, Personal, Themselves, Sew

Boys have been wearing skirts for some time now. My three assistants wear mini skirts. They come to work on their motorcycles wearing mini skirts. The French saw the idea on the streets and have done it in better fabrics, and now everyone says, 'Ah!'

- Issey Miyake

Some, Streets, Been, Mini

Clothing is the closest thing to all humans.

- Issey Miyake

Humans, Closest Thing, Thing, Clothing

All of my work stems from the simplest of ideas that go back to the earliest civilizations: making clothing from one piece of cloth. It is my touchstone.

- Issey Miyake

Making, Simplest, Stems, Clothing

I make clothing, and I don't care about trendy things.

- Issey Miyake

Trendy, Things, About, Clothing

I realised I wanted to make clothing which was as universal as jeans and T-shirts.

- Issey Miyake

Wanted, Which, Realised, Clothing

I always wanted to create clothing that was universal - easy to wear, to care for, and that was also beautiful. As such, I became interested in polyester, and its potential, from the beginning of my career.

- Issey Miyake

Career, Always, Became, Clothing

We yearn for the beautiful, the unknown, and the mysterious.

- Issey Miyake

Beautiful, Mysterious, Yearn, Unknown

A few of the influences on my career so far have been Isamu Noguchi, Irving Penn, and seeing the riots of 1968 in Paris.

- Issey Miyake

Career, Been, Penn, Riots

I feel it is urgently necessary to train people who are capable of tackling the various problems we face today in regards to environmental turmoil and the relevancy of clothing.

- Issey Miyake

Environmental, Tackling, Turmoil

The important thing is to make something. In reality, it's not important that a designer be known by name - you can remain anonymous. Even the status of a designer will undergo changes, I believe.

- Issey Miyake

Changes, Will, Remain, Undergo

When I first began working in Japan, I had to confront the Japanese people's excessive worship for foreign goods and the fixed idea of what clothes ought to be. I wanted to change the rigid formula of clothing that the Japanese followed.

- Issey Miyake

Idea, Japan, Began, Fixed

Most of us feel some kind of uncertainty, with the population increasing and resources decreasing. We have to face these issues.

- Issey Miyake

Kind, Feel, Some, Decreasing

One of my assistants found this old German machine. It was originally used to make underwear. Like Chanel, who started with underwear fabric - jerseys - we used the machine that made underwear to make something else.

- Issey Miyake

Like, Assistants, German, Underwear

Polyester is easy to work with and results in clothing that is well suited to the needs of a modern lifestyle.

- Issey Miyake

Modern, Needs, Polyester, Suited

Clothes should fit comfortably - not too tightly - so that you have space to move in and think freely.

- Issey Miyake

Think, Move, Fit, Tightly

I am neither a writer nor a theorist. For a person who creates things to utter too many words means to regulate himself - a frightening prospect.

- Issey Miyake

Means, Utter, Regulate, Theorist

I suppose there are many, but I cannot imagine ever having a more perfect collaboration than that which Penn-san and I shared. It was based upon mutual trust, respect, and a desire to have our own work pushed to new places. And it always resulted in delight.

- Issey Miyake

Trust, Resulted, Shared, Delight

I am not sentimental about the past. I like to think about what is next.

- Issey Miyake

I Am, Think, Next, Sentimental

You see it in the many bouncing clothes that are not just pleats. To make them, two or three people twist them - twist, twist, twist the pleats, sometimes three or four persons twist together and put it all in the machine to cook it.

- Issey Miyake

Sometimes, Cook, Them, Twist

I tried never to be defined by my past.

- Issey Miyake

Past, Never, Tried, Defined

By the way, Marilyn Monroe was a size 14.

- Issey Miyake

Size, Marilyn, Monroe, None

I do not create a fashionable aesthetic... I create a style based on life.

- Issey Miyake

Create, Aesthetic, Based, Fashionable

Our goals must be to find new, environmentally-friendly ways by which to continue the art of creation, to utilize our valuable human skills, and to make things that will bring joy.

- Issey Miyake

Art, New, Which, Goals

Indian clothes are usually tight.

- Issey Miyake

Clothes, Tight, Indian

Indian paper is famous, Egyptian papyrus, Chinese paper... every country has used this natural material. But the problem is it's going to run out because it's very difficult work.

- Issey Miyake

Famous, Country, Very, Indian

A-POC respects that there is a fine balance between the value of the human touch, which can be called artisanal, and the abilities of technology. I like to think of it as poesy and technology.

- Issey Miyake

Think, Like, Which, Respects

I believe that all forms of creativity are related.

- Issey Miyake

Related, I Believe That, Forms

To be honest, I think we should find first the possibility to make it. Research is first - if you're not interested, you never can find something. Many things happen from forgotten machines - ones that are no longer used.

- Issey Miyake

Research, Used, I Think, Possibility

Design is a vital component to the enrichment of our everyday lives. Japan has a very rich history and culture of design, and I feel it is a very important dialogue to open and keep evolving.

- Issey Miyake

Very, Everyday Lives, Lives, Everyday

Frank Gehry not only understood my sense of fun and adventure but also reciprocated it and translated that feeling into his work.

- Issey Miyake

Work, Frank, Reciprocated, Understood

Paul Poiret did wonderful things because he was so influenced by motifs, but Vionnet really understood the kimono and took the geometric idea to construct her clothes - and that brought such freedom into European clothes in the 1920s.

- Issey Miyake

Influenced, 1920s, Brought, Understood

I became a fashion designer to make clothes for the people, not to be a top couturier in the French tradition.

- Issey Miyake

People, Became, Designer, Fashion Designer

Technology allows us to do many things, but it is always important to combine it with traditional handcrafts and, in fact, use technology to replicate dying arts so that they are not lost.

- Issey Miyake

Fact, Always, Replicate, Combine

I like women who have their own idea of life: the woman who is assured, comfortable with herself, strong inside, proud of herself - not in an arrogant way, not showing off.

- Issey Miyake

Strong, Woman, Proud, Assured

From the beginning I thought about working with the body in movement, the space between the body and clothes. I wanted the clothes to move when people moved. The clothes are also for people to dance or laugh.

- Issey Miyake

Beginning, Thought, Move, Laugh

The joining of the Japanese with the French should make a new movement. I think it should be good for Paris.

- Issey Miyake

Think, New, Joining, French

I did not want to be labelled 'the designer who survived the atomic bomb,' and therefore I have always avoided questions about Hiroshima.

- Issey Miyake

Questions, Want, Always, Labelled

If Mr. Obama could walk across the Peace Bridge in Hiroshima - whose balustrades were designed by the Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi as a reminder both of his ties to East and West and of what humans do to one another out of hatred - it would be both a real and a symbolic step toward creating a world that knows no fear of nuclear threat.

- Issey Miyake

Out, Another, Obama, Designed

My fascination has been the space between cloth and the body, and using a two-dimensional element to clothe a three-dimensional form.

- Issey Miyake

Body, Been, Using, Element

When I close my eyes, I still see things no one should ever experience: a bright red light, the black cloud soon after, people running in every direction trying desperately to escape - I remember it all.

- Issey Miyake

Eyes, Bright, I Remember, Escape

Retire? Never! We are far too busy!

- Issey Miyake

Never, Far, Too, Retire

In the past, art was admired and revered from afar. Today, there is more of an interactive relationship between the art and the person who admires it.

- Issey Miyake

Art, In The Past, Admired, Admires

If you look back throughout history from the ancient Egyptians onwards, most cultures started making clothing from a very basic premise: a single piece of cloth.

- Issey Miyake

Making, Very, Egyptians, Premise

I sent 200, 300 of the clothes that I had made, and the dancers chose what they liked.

- Issey Miyake

Dancers, Made, Had, Chose

In Paris, we call the people who make clothing 'couturiers' - they develop new clothing items - but actually, the work of designing is to make something that works in real life.

- Issey Miyake

Work, New, Works, Designing

We can also cut by heat - heat punch. And we also can cut by cold - extreme cold. When you cut with heat, it makes a mark. With cold, no mark. It depends on the fabric.

- Issey Miyake

Heat, Depends, Cut, Mark

Many people repeat the past. I'm not interested. I prefer evolution.

- Issey Miyake

Past, Repeat, Prefer, Not Interested

Even when I work with computers, with high technology, I always try to put in the touch of the hand.

- Issey Miyake

Computers, Always, High, Hand

In the Eighties, Japanese fashion designers brought a new type of creativity; they brought something Europe didn't have. There was a bit of a shock effect, but it probably helped the Europeans wake up to a new value.

- Issey Miyake

New, Designers, Brought, Europe

I am not really interested in clothing as a conceptual art form.

- Issey Miyake

Art, I Am, Form, Conceptual Art

Well, what I'm doing is really clothing. I'm not doing sculpture.

- Issey Miyake

Doing, Clothing, Well, Sculpture

Many people will say, well, clothes should be worn; but I think people can look at them in public, like seeing a film. I think museum exhibitions are very important.

- Issey Miyake

Think, I Think, Very, Exhibitions

Design is not for philosophy it's for life.

- Issey Miyake

Life, Design, Philosophy

Of course there are many ways we can reuse something. We can dye it. We can cut it. We can change the buttons. Those are other ways to make it alive. But this is a new step to use anything - hats, socks, shirts. It's the first step in the process.

- Issey Miyake

Alive, Other, Cut, Shirts

The combination of human skills with technology will always be at the root of any solution to the future of making clothes.

- Issey Miyake

Skills, Always, Making, Combination

Architects always have a feel for time - the generation they live in - as we do, and they are always striving toward boundless adventure.

- Issey Miyake

Generation, Always, Boundless

The future of fashion is light, durable clothes.

- Issey Miyake

Future, Light, Clothes, Durable

I gravitated towards the field of clothing design, partly because it is a creative format that is modern and optimistic.

- Issey Miyake

Modern, Field, Optimistic, Partly

A great thing happening now in art is that artists are using the figure, the body, clothing, life.

- Issey Miyake

Art, Using, Figure, Happening

I was always interested in making clothing that is worn by people in the real world.

- Issey Miyake

Always, Making, Worn, Clothing

Clothing has been called intimate architecture. We want to go beyond that.

- Issey Miyake

Want, Go, Been, Clothing

My touchstone started out being - and is still - exploring the ways by which to make clothing from a single piece of cloth.

- Issey Miyake

Started, Still, Which, Clothing

Function alone does not make clothing appealing.

- Issey Miyake

Alone, Function, Does, Clothing

The purpose - where I start - is the idea of use. It is not recycling, it's reuse.

- Issey Miyake

Purpose, Idea, Use, Recycling

A-POC unleashes the freedom of imagination. It's for people who are curious, who have inner energy - the energy of life and living.

- Issey Miyake

Imagination, Curious, Living, Inner

I have worked with several dance companies.

- Issey Miyake

Worked, Companies, Several, Dance

I very much like dance and dancers.

- Issey Miyake

Dancers, Like, Very, Dance

I started to work with cotton fabrics. I used cotton because it's easy to work with, to wash, to take care of, to wear if it's warm or cold. It's great. That was the start.

- Issey Miyake

Work, Start, Wear, Wash

The core spirit of Pleats Please is joy, and what better emotion to wear on your skin every day?

- Issey Miyake

Every Day, Spirit, Wear, Core

I am most interested in people and the human form.

- Issey Miyake

I Am, Most, Form, Human Form

Paris is an old and traditional place; it needs new blood.

- Issey Miyake

New, Needs, Traditional, Paris

Everything is an experiment.

- Issey Miyake

Everything, Experiment

Men have been buying my women's coats for years.

- Issey Miyake

Men, Been, Coats, Buying

I respect men and women who age and are proud and don't lose energy. I think fashion forgot those people.

- Issey Miyake

Proud, Think, I Think, Forgot

I am very interested in the culture of paper.

- Issey Miyake

Culture, I Am, Very, Paper

We have to keep a very tight check on quality.

- Issey Miyake

Keep, Very, Tight, Check

I love to be free to explore, research, and evolve.

- Issey Miyake

Love, Evolve, I Love, Research

I never thought fashion was the job for me, because I'm Japanese. Clothes! That was a European, society thing.

- Issey Miyake

Clothes, Thought, Never, European

Designers must be increasingly sensitive to our Earth's dwindling resources. It is our responsibility.

- Issey Miyake

Earth, Increasingly, Designers

Think of things that can be created, not destroyed, and that bring beauty and joy.

- Issey Miyake

Beauty, Joy, Think, Destroyed

Clothes have become more personal, more a matter of very individual taste.

- Issey Miyake

More, Individual, Very, Taste

My generation in Japan lived in limbo. We dreamed between two worlds.

- Issey Miyake

Generation, Japan, Worlds, Dreamed

In fashion, you need to present something new every six months, but it takes time to study things. Development is very important.

- Issey Miyake

New, Study, Very, Months

I've never been involved in any kind of political movement.

- Issey Miyake

Never, Been, Involved, Movement

My design is no design.

- Issey Miyake

Design

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