Comme des Garçons dresses from the last decade on display at Independent art fair

The Independent art fair in New York, now in its 17th year, is the largest yet, showcasing 76 galleries from around the globe. A highlight of the event is an installation featuring 20 dresses from Comme des Garçons over the past decade, curated by CEO Adrian Joffe and fair founder Elizabeth Dee. Designed by Rei Kawakubo, the display is arranged in a runway style, allowing attendees to walk along while the dresses are positioned as if in the audience. After navigating through thick yellow rubber strips by D_P_S (Diogo Passarinho Studio), visitors encounter notable pieces, including a black and white outfit from A/W 2020 and a S/S 2024 dress adorned with Rococo portraits. This exhibition marks the first opportunity for New York audiences to experience Kawakubo's work since the Met's 2017 exhibition. Dee, who grew up in rural Midwest, created Independent to address gaps in conventional art fairs, likening it to Kawakubo's Dover Street Market. The fair is located at Pier 36, 299 South Street, and will run until May 17, 2026.