About
Sacai was established by Chitose Abe in 1999 after 8 years of working with the Junya Watanabe collection at Comme des Garçons.
While her collections may appear to be about femininity, Abe’s interest is in creating clothes that are entirely unique and timeless, innovative and experimental. Juxtapositions of contrasting textures of fabrics such as knits with super fine wovens and usage of techniques based on reinterpretations of patterns of the garment transform the pieces into unexpected shapes and silhouettes. To Abe, who is influenced by observing her surroundings and functions of daily life, the Sacai collection has a distinctive elegance that is based on renderings and transformations of basic and classical items. The result is a collection of items that can transition easily between various occasions and not only reserved for special opportunities.
In addition to the Sacai main line, the sacai luck collection which was initially introduced as a lingerie collection in fall of 2006 is diversified and expanded to include loungewear from Spring & Summer 2010. sacai luck is characterized by unexpected combinations of materials and its exquisite balance of light and delicate fabrics like tulle, silk and cotton. The Sacai men’s collection launched in Spring 2009 is based on the same philosophy and similar approach as Abe’s women’s collection. Carefully crafted staple items for men imbued with a touch of elegance.
Sacai opened their first flagship store in September 2011 in Minamiaoyama, Tokyo. The concept behind the store was to create an environment that not only reflects Sacai's vision as a designer but for it to be a retail store with a concept that is in keeping with the verisimilitude of the dynamic culture of Tokyo as a city. The store carries all Sacai lines including the Sacai women's and men’s collections and sacai luck. The shop is merchandised and displayed by theme with all the collections mixed together and is re-arranged several times each season.
The Sacai collection is available in 90 doors worldwide and 35 stores in Japan.
Chitose Abe of Sacai was honored the Grand Prix of the 25th Mainichi Newspaper Fashion Award in 2007, and Designer of the Year by the Fashion Editor’s Club of Japan in 2009.
Since the March 2006, Abe has also created a collaborative capsule collection with her alma mater called sacai gem, which is available exclusively through the Comme des Garçons stores, 10 Corso Como Comme des Garçons in Aoyama Tokyo, and Dover Street Market in London. Most recently, Abe was invited to design a mini-collection with Moncler available from the S.S 2010 season.
