COMME DES GARÇONS, Tokyo (fashion house), Rei KAWAKUBO (designer). Cape, shorts, socks and boots, 2014 {Blood and Roses collection, spring-summer 2015}. Cotton, polyester, synthetic leather, nylon, plastic, elastic, rubber. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Gift of Takamasa Takahashi and David Tune, 2020.815.a-f © Comme des Garçons

Constructed from linear panels of flocked velvet, this cape encircles the body like a protective carapace. In Kawakubo’s words: ‘You need to occasionally wear something strong, and that can feel strange. It makes you aware of your existence and can reaffirm your relationship with society … When you put on clothes that are fighting against something, you can feel your courage grow.’