Thank You, Sir!!!

In anticipation of the new Comme des Garçons "Play"(July 12th) I have started to research the artist Filip Pagowski. He's role in the development of "Play" is quite significant. Filip Pagwoski is the artist responsible for the kawaii heart design branded throughout the "Play" brand. A polish graphic artist, illustrator, studied painter based in New York City, Filip has worked for a slew of major companies in the past 15 years including but not limited to; Le Monde, Saks 5th Avenue, Travel & Leisure, Diana von Furstenberg, & The New Yorker and of course Comme des Garçons "Play".

My understanding of Mr. Pagowski goes back to Rei Kawakubo(川久保 玲). When I first was introduced to Comme des Garçons, I was as a consumer but also a budding designer trying to(at that time) infiltrate the fashion market. I have always felt that one should design from the heart(life, friends, tribulations, love, & what have you) because in today's market and in general, it is almost impossible to try to pin point what will really be 'in'. My journey to learning what fashion really meant to me involved me breaking down the "hype" and understand really what draws me to certain brands. Understanding why, is one of the most important roles for any fashion aficionado especially in the job of a buyer. What I necessarily like might not be what I sale but it's a understanding of what is good. The aesthetic of good(in your eye because really, what is good??).
At the moment, I can honestly say I know. I am a faithful believer in the religion of "design within design" (I have this ideology behind it, trust its intense). Basically, it is designing without taking away the characteristics of what the garment was initially used for. Simple right, not really.
I hate to criticism but so many times I have attended trade shows and am amazed how far out the box and out the window some of these pieces are. I mean, I see why brands do it. In today's day and age there are so many brands, so consumers are hardly impressed by anything(i have to touch on this too).
(Sorry I was about to go on a completely left field tangent...)
At times, I feel like collaborations are overdone. So many brands forget about the magic from an great collaboration. Alot of the collaborations now look dated and predictable. Living in NYC I can't lie,( I'm not a huge Supreme fan but I get them) Supreme does some of the best inland collaborations hands down(Hiroshi Fujiwara is King bar none, A.P.C., Head Porter Plus, Converse, Nike SB, Gortex, etc etc.. endless) . Filip Pagowski and Rei Kawakubo collaborations makes complete sense. The "Play" collections is pure garment magic. I know that goes without saying to due success of "Play" but learning the history of "Kawakubo's painter" made me realize the genius of Rei Kawakubo. Undertsanding that "Play" follows Kawakubo's "Design within design" it's like it happen by destiny. Those are the best collaborations to me.
Filip Pagowski studied at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts under the tutelage of famed designer/professor Henryk Tomaszewski(This guy is awesome, I will definitely get back to him, ill poster designer). Tomaszewski produced most of his acclaimed work post World War II, where Poland art scene was in a controlled, state imposed censorship.

Side Note: Henryk Tomaszewski work influenced a small group called the Grapus Design Collective in France, of which Pierre Bernard(wow!!) was a founding member(I'm working on a length post about this, stay tuned..)
As I stated the earlier Filip Pagowski will have some textile illustration in the new Comme des Garçons "Play". He is currently working on projects in France, Japan, USA and constantly working in his home land of Poland.

Thank you for blessing the world with your "heart"