Step into an upside-down sky at Milan‘s premier fashion hub, 10 Corso Como, where Pleats Please Issey Miyake has launched its inaugural pop-up store. Featuring the essence of this iconic location, the artful installation brings the sky to your feet with a cobalt blue floor, while clouds manifest as uniquely crafted furniture. Draped along a singular curved rail, six hues from the Japanese label’s Azure Colors series create a flowing gradient. This temporary space, open until October 11, is the first of a four-country tour bringing the concept to Shanghai, Bangkok, and Tokyo.
The store forsakes traditional layouts in favor of soft, surreal volumes. Oversized quilted panels envelop the walls, resembling immense cushions. Display tables on white cloud-like pedestals and a rounded floor seat complete the ethereal ambiance. The installation in this designer haven invites you to experience a world where azure hues and soft whites mimic a celestial environment.
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The collection’s six blue shades—Pale White, Pale Blue, Azure Blue, Middle Blue, Deep Blue, and Navy Blue—are displayed sequentially, simulating a gradient sky. The range features two tops, two dresses, two skirts, a pair of trousers, and two stoles, each available in every shade. This cohesive collection can be worn solo or layered to create a personalized sky-inspired look, embodying the spirit of the venue.
The Pleating Principle at This Fashion Landmark
What distinguishes Pleats Please pieces is the pleating technique, applied after sewing, which locks the pleats into the finished garment rather than the raw fabric. This innovation ensures that each piece is light, comfortable, and machine washable, coming alive when worn. The installation mirrors this principle by using inflated forms to suggest the dynamic nature of the garments.
Originating as a 1988 experiment, pleating has become Issey Miyake’s most enduring design exploration. This principle has shaped not only the Pleats Please line, which launched in Spring/Summer 1994, but also recent projects like the 3D-knitted iPhone Pocket designed in collaboration with Apple.
From the street, the ambiance of this renowned destination keeps intrigue alive. Blue awnings beneath an ivy-covered facade hint at the store’s identity without giving everything away. The experience inside is an intimate escape, a full immersion in azure and white.
Reflecting and Expanding the Skyline
A mirror within the room enhances the space’s symmetry, doubling the gradient’s visual effect and extending the cobalt horizon further than reality permits. This clever detail underscores the illusion and depth of the showroom’s design.
During Milan Design Week, the Via Bagutta flagship showcased “The Paper Log: Shell and Core,” transforming pleating presses’ compressed paper into artful furniture. Satoshi Kondo of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO expressed that their aim is to bring ease and poetry to everyday life, a continuation of Issey Miyake’s original vision. Azure Colors remains available at Via Bagutta until October 11.
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Milan begins the Azure Colors journey, followed by pop-ups in Shanghai, Bangkok, and Tokyo. With this location as the iconic starting point, sales are exclusive to these locations and the ISSEY MIYAKE Europe online store, with dresses priced between €310 and €450. The spectacle of Pale White dissolving into quilted walls epitomizes the seamless blend between clothing and environment, capturing the essence of this innovative installation.
Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
What colors are featured in Pleats Please Issey Miyake’s collection?
The collection features six blue shades: Pale White, Pale Blue, Azure Blue, Middle Blue, Deep Blue, and Navy Blue.
How long is the Milan pop-up open?
The pop-up store at 10 Corso Como in Milan is open until October 11.
What distinguishes Pleats Please clothing pieces?
Pleats Please clothing pieces are distinguished by their pleating technique, which is applied after sewing. This locks the pleats into the finished garment rather than the raw fabric, ensuring each piece is light, comfortable, and machine washable.