Fashion designer Issey Miyake, best known for his groundbreaking delicate pleats, has died aged 84.
The Miyake Design agency confirmed that the Japanese pioneer passed away on August 5 from liver cancer.
Miyake’s design philosophy was simple yet complicated, often folding a piece of fabric since the 1970s and folding it into origami-like pleats to create beautiful organic shapes.
While dressing supermodels like Grace Jones and current celebrities like Kim Kardashian until his death, Miyake is also known for creating Steve Job’s iconic black turtlenecks.
Check out some of the late designer’s most famous celebrity moments.
Beyonce
Beyoncé’s 2014 music video for “Mine” with Drake featured tons of beautiful, flowing fabric. The Queen herself contrasted an angular bustier with Miyake’s pleated veil.
Solange
Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Solange Knowles commissioned mom Tina Knowles to create an interconnected dress inspired by a 1999 Miyake design. The Japanese designer officially retired from fashion in 1999 in favor of a focus on textiles – with his latest show featuring 23 models walking the catwalk in one interconnected piece of fabric.
Mary Kate Olsen
Row’s designer chose a vintage black piece that showcases all of Miyake’s signature designs for the 2013 CFDA awards.
Steve Jobs
The story of Jobs’ signature look begins in Japan, when he visited Sony offices in Japan and liked their uniforms, which were designed by Miyake, according to Apple co-founder Walter Isaacson. While the vests Jobs and Miyake devised for Cupertino’s employees didn’t come across too well, the entrepreneur asked for a personalized uniform and got hundreds of black turtlenecks in return.
Robin Williams
Another man who had a penchant for Miyake’s designs was Robin Williams, who wore a cargo bomber jacket from the 1996 Fall/Winter collection until the NYC premiere of “Flubber” in 1997.
Grace Jones
Model Grace Jones was one of the biggest fans and friends of the designer, who modeled in his shows several times during the 1980s and beyond and wore his clothes regularly.
Kim Kardashian
To prove that Miyake’s recent designs are just as beautiful as they were early in his career, Kardashian wore a matching silver turtleneck sweater and skirt from the designer in 2020.