Issey Miyake Heritage

Issey Miyake was born in Hiroshima in 1938 and survived the atomic bombing as a child—an experience that profoundly influenced his worldview and design philosophy. After studying graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo, he moved to Paris in the 1960s to study fashion, working with legendary designers including Guy Laroche and Hubert de Givenchy. However, Miyake felt that Western haute couture, with its emphasis on the body's curves and complex construction, didn't align with his vision. He returned to Japan determined to create a new kind of fashion—one that celebrated the space between body and cloth, that was democratic rather than elitist, and that embraced technology and innovation. His philosophy of 'A Piece of Cloth' emphasized creating garments from single pieces of fabric, minimizing waste and celebrating the material's inherent properties.

In 1993, ISSEY MIYAKE launched Pleats Please, a line that would revolutionize fashion and establish the brand's reputation for textile innovation. The pleating technique involved creating garments in larger sizes, then permanently pleating them through heat treatment. This process created clothing that was wrinkle-resistant, easy to care for, and incredibly versatile—it could be packed into tiny spaces and would spring back to shape. More importantly, the pleats allowed the fabric to move with the body while maintaining structure. This innovation wasn't just aesthetic; it represented a fundamental rethinking of how clothing could be manufactured and worn. The iPhone Pocket's pleated structure draws directly from this heritage, applying decades of pleating expertise to create an accessory that's both beautiful and functional.

ISSEY MIYAKE has always viewed technology not as a threat to craftsmanship but as a tool for expanding creative possibilities. The brand was among the first to embrace computer-aided design in fashion, using technology to create patterns and structures that would be impossible through traditional methods. The Reality Lab, ISSEY MIYAKE's research and development division, brings together fashion designers, textile engineers, and technology specialists to explore new materials and manufacturing techniques. This interdisciplinary approach led to innovations like A-POC (A Piece of Cloth), which used computerized knitting to create entire garments as single tubes of fabric that could be customized by cutting. The iPhone Pocket represents the latest evolution of this philosophy, using 3D knitting technology to create a seamless, precisely engineered accessory.

Throughout its history, ISSEY MIYAKE has embraced collaboration with artists, architects, and technology companies. The brand has worked with everyone from photographer Irving Penn to architect Frank Gehry, viewing these partnerships as opportunities for mutual learning and innovation. The collaboration with Apple on the iPhone Pocket fits perfectly within this tradition. Both companies share a commitment to design excellence, attention to detail, and the belief that technology should enhance rather than complicate life. The partnership brought together Apple's expertise in user experience and product design with ISSEY MIYAKE's textile innovation, creating something neither could have achieved alone. This collaborative spirit reflects Issey Miyake's belief that the best design emerges from dialogue and exchange of ideas.

Long before sustainability became a fashion industry buzzword, ISSEY MIYAKE was incorporating environmental consciousness into design practice. The 'A Piece of Cloth' philosophy inherently minimizes waste by creating garments from single pieces of fabric. The brand's emphasis on durability and timeless design encourages long-term use rather than disposability. The pleating process, while energy-intensive, creates garments that require minimal care—no ironing, easy washing, and long-lasting wear. The iPhone Pocket embodies these principles: its 3D knitting process produces virtually no waste, its durable construction ensures years of use, and its timeless design won't look dated next season. This approach to sustainability isn't about marketing—it's woven into the brand's DNA.

ISSEY MIYAKE successfully brought Japanese aesthetic principles to a global audience without diluting their essence. Concepts like ma (negative space), wabi-sabi (beauty in imperfection), and kanso (simplicity) inform the brand's designs while remaining accessible to international customers. The iPhone Pocket exemplifies this approach: its open textile structure celebrates ma, allowing glimpses of the phone inside; its design acknowledges that it will develop character through use (wabi-sabi); and its form is elegantly simple (kanso). This ability to translate cultural specificity into universal appeal has made ISSEY MIYAKE one of Japan's most successful cultural exports, influencing designers worldwide while maintaining its distinct identity.

Although Issey Miyake passed away in 2022, his vision continues through the talented team he assembled and mentored. The brand remains at the forefront of textile innovation, continuing to explore new materials, manufacturing techniques, and design possibilities. The iPhone Pocket, released in 2024, demonstrates that ISSEY MIYAKE's innovative spirit remains vibrant. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, the brand's expertise in creating beautiful, functional objects that bridge the physical and digital worlds becomes ever more relevant. The iPhone Pocket isn't just an accessory—it's a statement about how design can enhance our relationship with technology, making it more human, more tactile, and more beautiful.