Issue 20 of 032c has been released. Selectism reports. “The issue is stuffed (264 pages!) with some good interviews; though the David Simon interview on “The Wire” seems untimely to those in the U.S.A. who just viewed his Treme series. “John Waters on Comme des Garçons, and everything else you never thought you wanted to know about designer REI KAWAKUBO in our 40-page dossier. Arc’teryx takes menswear to new heights of performance with its new line, Veilance; Claude Parent is rediscovered as Paris’ last supermodernist; Hedi Slimane does Sterling Ruby in downtown L.A.; Rem Koolhaas discusses Moscow’s new Strelka Institute, Francesco Vezzoli gives us a look into Milan’s infamous club, Plastic, and David Simon, creator of HBO’s The Wire, talks anger and the American city in our segment on today’s unexpected places of discourse; Johannesburg provides a case study in African modernity””

Another look at the 032c Magazine cover follows here.

By now you should have heard quite a bit about the newly launched Comme des Garcons BLACK collection. Comme des Garcons has come out with the concept to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Being big fans of various collections of the brand, we are always interested in getting some more background information on the brand and especially the designer behind the brand – Rei Kawakubo.

The New York Times has published an interesting article about the brand, its various innovations over the years, as well as some more background information of the new BLACK line. There will be overall 10 pop-up stores in the next 18 months and then the BLACK line will be shut down again.

Anyways, enough from us, read the article here.

Big announcement on the business wire this morning. “Comme des Garçons’ founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo will create this autumn’s guest designer collection at H&M… Rei Kawakubo, famous and admired for her creativity and artistry, will design a women’s and a men’s collection, with some pieces for children too. Accessories and an exclusive unisex fragrance will also be included in the collection…
The world launch of the collection will be at the opening of H&M’s second store in Tokyo, Japan, in the beginning of November. Launch date for other H&M markets will be a few days later.”
H&M’s team-up with designer, Rei Kawakubo, is a major step for H&M in the Japanese market and the Harajuku specifically, which is beginning to see an influx of big retail establishments moving into grounds once held by smaller, niche labels. Via Selectism.
This will be one of a few times where you can shop Comme des Garcons product without ever looking at the price!

T Magazine has just posted an extensive article about Rei Kawakubo and her label Comme des Garcons. Its a super interesting read about the structure of the company, the brands that run under Comme des Garcons and how they interact and differ from any other fashion brand. Anybody with the slightest interest in Comme des Garcons, Japanese fashion or fashion in general, has to read it.
Check it out here.

LA based jewelry company Chrome Hearts and Comme des Garcons got together for a small collaborative collection. The collection consists of jewelry, shirts and t-shirts. Designed by Rei Kawakubo and Chrome Hearts the collection is now available at Dover Street Market.
Check out all the other jewelry pieces after the jump.