"I anticipated that our collaboration would […] be our unspoken understanding… How happy these clothes seem, made alive again by [Miyake’s] genius."
—Irving PennFrom 1986 until 1999, master photographer Irving Penn brought his talent for surprising compositions that beautifully articulate his subjects to Japanese designer Issey Miyake’s futuristic creations. Here, Penn photographs the sculptural garments taking on a life their own: posed as combative warriors, devoid of human presence and silhouetted against his signature white backdrop. This striking image is appearing at auction for the first time – a colour variant of which graced the cover of 1999 publication, Irving Penn regards the work of Issey Miyake.
As leading forces in their respective fields, the long-distance collaboration between Penn and Miyake resulted in a timeless collection of over 250 images. Miyake recalled, ‘I was looking for one person who could look at my clothing, hear my voice and answer me back through his own creation. Through his eyes, […] Penn shows me what I do.’ Their unique partnership has been celebrated through numerous exhibitions, including Irving Penn and Issey Miyake: Visual Dialogue, at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in Tokyo, between September 2011 – April 2012.