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From Steve Jobs' iconic turtleneck to bold micro pleats, a look back at the legacy of fashion's Issey Miyake

Yoonji Han

2022-08-09T16:50:19Z

Issey Miyake at a show in Paris 1992. — Japanese fashion designer rose to fame for his innovative designs and creative use of different fabrics.

Issey Miyake was renowned for his innovative approach to traditional Japanese fabrics and designs.
Miyake is the mastermind behind micro pleating, Bao Bao bags, and Steve Jobs' iconic turtleneck.
On August 5, Miyake died in Tokyo at age 84.

Issey Miyake was one of the first Japanese designers to show in Paris, and opened the door for Japanese fashion to a global audience.

Issey Miyake, Chantal Thomass, Kenzo in 1984 — Issey Miyake, French lingerie designer Chantal Thomass, and Japanese designer Kenzo at a breakfast by the Ministry of Culture in Paris, March 21, 1984.

Miyake was obsessed with the use of different types of fabrics and materials in his clothing, including Japanese washi paper and rattan.

Models walk the runway during the Issey Miyake as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on March 01, 2020 in Paris, France. — Issey Miyake's designs during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall-Winter 2020/2021 in Paris.

Miyake also used traditional Japanese fabrics and designs, drawing inspiration from his home country.

Pieces of designer Issey Miyake's collection are displayed at the National Art Center in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. — Pieces of Miyake's collection are displayed at the National Art Center in Tokyo, Japan.

He paid homage to Japanese craft and design through his works, including origami.

Issey Miyake 132 5 - Tokyo, window display 2014 as Part of the World Fashion Window Displays on January 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan — Issey Miyake's 132 5 collection is displayed in Tokyo. The collection was inspired by origami; each item of clothing was cut from a single piece of fabric.

Miyake's most iconic designs are his micro pleats and his Bao Bao bags.

Twins wear blue and green striped dresses, a purple bag, and a red bag , outside Issey Miyake, during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018, on September 29, 2017 in Paris, France. — Women wear Miyake's pleated dresses and hold Bao Bao bags during Paris Fashion Week 2017.

With micro pleating, garments are sandwiched between layers of paper and fed into a heat press to be pleated.

Models in colorful clothes surround Japanese designer Issey Miyake after the presentation of his 1994 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear collection presented in Paris, Oct. 8, 1993. — Miyake unveiled his Pleats Please collection at his 1994 Paris summer collection.

Miyake often used dancers to model his pleated clothing.

Models walk the runway during the Issey Miyake Womenswear Spring/Summer 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 27, 2019 in Paris, France — Models danced on the runway at the Issey Miyake Womenswear Spring/Summer 2020 show in Paris.

Miyake embraced asymmetry as a way to create a sense of movement in his clothing.

Models wear creations for Issey Miyake's Fall-Winter 2017-2018 ready-to-wear fashion collection presented Friday, March 3, 2017 in Paris. — Models wear creations for Issey Miyake's Fall-Winter 2017-2018 ready-to-wear fashion collection in Paris.

The Bao Bao bag's triangular pieces change flat surfaces into three-dimensional ones, creating new forms.

A guest wears a neon yellow pullover, a long oversized black striped rib jacket, a black set stripped pants, a yellow neon Bao Boa Issey Miyake handbag, outside Berluti, during Paris Fashion Week - Menswear F/W 2020-2021 on January 17, 2020 in Paris, France. — Miyake's Bao Bao bag during Paris Fashion Week.

Steve Jobs' signature black mock neck is a Miyake creation. In his biography, Jobs writes that he asked Miyake to make him some of the mock necks, "and he made me like a hundred of them."

Steve Jobs at a keynote speech in 2008.

In 2010, Miyake received Japan's Order of Culture, the country's highest honor for the arts.

Issey Miyake And Top Models At Ready To Wear Fall Winter 1993 1994 Show, Paris, March 1993. — Issey Miyake and his models at the Fall/Winter 1993/1994 show, Paris.

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