Dancers perform on Tate Modern's floor, showcasing the vibrant Issey Miyake collection with elaborate movements.

Dancers Reveal Vibrant Issey Miyake Collection from Tate Modern’s Floor in Unique Performance

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Written by Sam Johnson

2026-09-21

Henri Matisse’s Influence Meets High Fashion in the Issey Miyake Line

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Homme Plissé Issey Miyake introduced a capsule collection inspired by Henri Matisse’s “The Snail” at London’s Tate Modern. The unveiling, set within an energetic dance performance, was part of Issey Miyake’s Open Studio initiative, showcasing its apparel in new and unexpected locations. This latest endeavor is a true testament to the innovative spirit of the brand’s work.

Felt floor at Tate Modern conceals Homme Plissé Issey Miyake garments.
Garments by Homme Plissé Issey Miyake were hidden under a felt floor

An Artful Performance at The Tanks

The event, hosted in Tate Modern’s The Tanks—the museum’s permanent galleries dedicated to live art—featured dancers from the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company. They artfully revealed garments through cut-outs in a felt-covered floor. These pieces, marked by the brand’s signature pleated designs, echoed Matisse’s vibrant collage, showcasing the incredible range of their designs.

Performers uncover and wear the Issey Miyake clothes during a dance routine.
Dancers revealed the clothes and then wore them

The highlight came as performers lifted a floor section to expose a fabric version of “The Snail,” complementing their attire from the new lineup. This imaginative setting was created by Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck, enhancing the interplay between dance and design within this venture.

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Homme Plissé designed The Snail capsule collection for display at Tate Modern.
Homme Plissé designed The Snail capsule collection especially for Tate Modern

Liberating Fashion in a Storied Venue

London was a deliberate choice for this Open Studio edition due to Tate’s history of engaging designers to reinterpret its permanent collections. As Satoshi Kondo from Homme Plissé Issey Miyake explained, Tate’s accessibility and artistic openness resonate with the brand’s values.

“What Tate represents is an openness to art for all,” Kondo said. “This aligns with our Open Studio’s mission to share our design process with local communities.”

Audience watches a performance as part of Issey Miyake's Open Studio event.
The performance was part of the brand’s Open Studio events

A Collaborative Cultural Synergy

Kondo, also the artistic director of Issey Miyake, is an admirer of Tate Modern’s approach to art, which he finds inviting and inclusive. He emphasized the importance of creating environments where art and fashion are accessible to everyone, an ethos clearly reflected in their creations.

Textile artwork resembling The Snail is dramatically unveiled during the finale.
The finale revealed a textile version of The Snail

Availability and Expansion

The collection debuted at Tate Modern will go on sale there before launching globally next year. This event dovetails with Issey Miyake’s recent ventures, including a new flagship in New York and an exhibition at the Milan design week, further expanding the reach of this innovative work.

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The Snail's color inspiration clearly influences Homme Plissé Issey Miyake's capsule collection.
Homme Plissé Issey Miyake drew on the colours of The Snail for the capsule collection

Source: dezeen.com

Frequently asked questions

What inspired the Issey Miyake capsule collection?

The Issey Miyake capsule collection was inspired by Henri Matisse’s ‘The Snail’.

Where was the Issey Miyake collection unveiled?

The collection was unveiled at London’s Tate Modern, specifically in The Tanks, the museum’s permanent galleries dedicated to live art.

When will the Issey Miyake collection be available globally?

The collection will go on sale at Tate Modern first before launching globally next year.