Issey Miyake’s Best Designs Over The Years, From The Runway To Steve Jobs

Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Fashion In honor of the late Japanese designer, who passed away at age 84. by India Roby Aug. 9, 2022

On Tuesday, Aug. 9, it was publicly announced that Issey Miyake died earlier this month from liver cancer at age 84. Before his retirement in 1997, the Japanese designer became known for his forward-thinking approach to design and silhouettes, from his signature pleats and origami-shaped caps to his coveted Bao Bao bags, among many others. Issey Miyake and Diana Vreeland, 1978 Sonia Moskowitz/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Though Miyake’s designs were a rare red carpet sighting, his work remained a celebrity favorite for decades, including famous fans like Steve Jobs, Robin Williams, Grace Jones, the Olsen twins, and more. In honor of the late Japanese designer, take a look back at some of his best work throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, ahead. Issey Miyake's Spring 1988 runway show in Tokyo. NAOHIRO KIMURA/AFP/Getty Images

Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Issey Miyake Fall 1980 Runway Show The accordion-styled folds made one of their first appearances about a decade into Miyake’s fashion career. During his Fall 1980 runway show in Paris, the designer paired a pleated cape-and-trouser set with a metallic peplum corset.

Allan Tannenbaum/Archive Photos/Getty Images Issey Miyake Spring 1982 Runway Show Music icon Grace Jones and supermodels Lauren Hutton and Pat Cleveland were captured backstage wearing Issey Miyake at his Spring 1982 fashion show in New York.

Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Issey Miyake Spring 1985 Runway Show Supermodel Iman wore head-to-toe pink at Miyake’s Spring 1985 runway presentation in Paris.

NAOHIRO KIMURA/AFP/Getty Images Issey Miyake Spring 1988 Runway Show Miyake’s origami-inspired creations hit the catwalk in the late ‘80s. While presenting his 1988 collection in Tokyo, the designer styled his squared hats with baggy linen tops and wide-legged bottoms.

PIERRE GUILLAUD/AFP/Getty Images Issey Miyake Spring 1993 Runway Show His beloved geometric designs became a household staple well into the ‘90s. In his Spring 1993 show in Paris, models walked the runway in brightly-colored wool georgette dresses and cone-shaped hats.

Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Issey Miyake Spring 1994 Runway Show Miyake birthed yet another coveted design — his “Flying Saucer” dress — which made its debut at his Spring 1994 runway show in Paris.

Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Issey Miyake Fall 1993 Runway Show Miyake revolutionized the world of outerwear in his Fall 1993 collection in Paris. Models were sent down the catwalk in futuristic metallics and oversized circle bags.

Bob Riha Jr/WireImage/Getty Images 1996, Steve Jobs Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs was a longtime fan of Issey Miyake. Throughout his career, Jobs’ signature black turtlenecks were by the Japanese designer.

Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Issey Miyake Fall 1995 Runway Show Miyake continued to experiment with his creations before his official retirement from his namesake brand, making a matching fur set for his 1995 showcase.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images 1997, Robin Williams at the Flubber Premiere Late actor Robin Williams was also a fan of Miyake. At the Flubber premiere in 1997, the then-46-year-old wore a cargo bomber jacket from the designer’s Fall 1996 collection.

ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images Issey Miyake Fall 1997 Runway Show Miyake’s love for colors and out-of-the-box shapes was a highlight of one of his last presentations in 1997. His vision still reigned in the years to follow, as the brand was soon taken over by his collaborator Naoki Takizawa.

Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic/Getty Images 2013, Mary-Kate Olsen at the CFDA Fashion Awards The Row designer and vintage enthusiast Mary-Kate Olsen wore Issey Miyake’s pleated “Flying Saucer” dress at the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City.

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