Issey Miyake & Reality Lab

Issey Miyake (1939 – 2022) was born in Hiroshima, Japan. As a child, he developed an interest in fashion after reading his sister’s fashion magazines. He studied graphic design at the Tama Art University, Tokyo, where he graduated in 1964. After graduating, Miyake worked as an apprentice for Guy Laroche, then with Hubert de Givenchy. After spending a year in New York, Miyake returned to Tokyo, where he founded Miyake Design Studio, which produced high-end women’s clothes.

Issey Miyake’s work is characterised by his sense of fun, which is injected into all of his designs. He also drew inspiration from fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet, and her use of geometric calculations and "a single piece of beautiful cloth". Miyake experimented with new pleating methods and new materials. This experimentation led to the IN-EI Issey Miyake lighting collection, in collaboration with Reality Lab. The collection features sculptural luminaires, folded to mimic the appearance of an origami sculpture. Issey Miyake is head of Reality Lab, alongside Manabu Kikuchi and Sachiko Yamamoto. The research team develops new concepts in the design industry to create exciting and innovative products.

"The purpose – where I start – is the idea of use. It is not recycling, it’s reuse.” - Issey Miyake