Good afternoon, Adrian. What does such an unusual name of your company mean and where did it come from?
Good afternoon (Adrian answers in pure Russian). I speak a little Russian, I studied the language for four years, and I’m glad to be able to train it (laughs). But, nevertheless, I’ll switch to English if you don’t mind (I certainly don’t mind - ed.). The name Comme des Garcons in French means "like boys." In fact, this is a phrase from one French song in the chanson genre and I really liked the sound of my wife first, and then the brand designer Rei Kawakubo.
When was Comme des Garcons founded?
It turns out that it was a long time ago. Our French name is confusing for many; people think that the company’s headquarters are in Paris, which, in principle, is logical. But we launched our first women's clothing collection in 1969, and Comme des Garcons CO.Ltd was registered in Tokyo in 1973. After which we began to organize shows of new collections twice a year, and in 1978 opened our first Tokyo boutique. In the same 1978, we released the first men's collection. And in 1981, our collection was first presented to the discerning Parisian public.
How many boutiques do Comme des Garcons have today?
Our branded boutiques today operate in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Kyoto and London.
How and when did you decide to move from the world of fashionable clothes to the world of perfumery?
Oh, that was not very difficult. You in our work, we have always been guided by the principle that the majority is usually not right. All our collections have been and are not for everyone, but for everyone. We decided to use the same approach in the manufacture of aromas. Our first Comme des Garcons Eau de Parfum perfume was launched in 1994. And in 2000, we already opened our first perfume shop in Paris.
What is Comme des Garcons so unusual about?
First of all, their design. It is completely unlike everything that is on the perfume market today. We deliberately depart from the accepted perfumery "pyramid" of aromas, consisting of upper notes, core and base. Our perfume may be completely invisible at the beginning and not make a proper impression on the consumer, but it shows itself as the chords of the base, and then it gets the warm core. With our spirits we provoke all human senses. Indeed, very often the fragrance evokes the most hidden memories.
When did Comme des Garsons start working with Antonio Puig?
In 2002, when we decided to create a series of fragrances in the collection of Comme des Garsons 2. Starting in 2003, together with Antonio Puig, we published such fragrances as Comme des Garsons 2, Comme des Garsons 2 MAN, Comme des Garsons 888, as well as several perfume provocations Series 2 Red, Series 3 Intense, Play and anti-perfumes Odeur 53 and Odeur 71.
Which fragrance do you personally like the most?
Undoubtedly, Comme des Garsons 2! No options.
Is it a men's or women's perfume?
I would classify all of our perfumes as unisex. We create them for those people who they like. That is, for the minority. Which, however, with time becomes more and more.
Where in the UAE can I buy perfumes Comme des Garcons?
Comme des Garsons perfumes are available at all Paris Gallery stores.
Adrian, what would you like to wish our readers in the coming year?
Health and success. Have a good mood. And faith in the best.
