Rei Kawakubo, a Tokyo native, initially studied fine arts and literature before turning to fashion. Her foray into the industry began with a small boutique in Tokyo’s Aoyama district, where she began selling her own designs. The name “Comme des Garçons,” which translates to “like boys” in French, reflects Kawakubo’s intent to subvert traditional gender norms and explore androgynous forms in fashion.