Despite the fact that Kawakubo had never had any formal fashion training, Comme des Garçons clothing became hugely successful all round Japan in the 1970s. Throughout the 1980s the label’s dismantled approach to fashion became known worldwide. When there were four fashion capitals in the world; London, Paris, Milan and New York, Japanese Comme des Garçons' mantra of monochromatic colours, surreal silhouettes and a mission to turn conventional pattern cutting on its head, broke all the rules. Kawakubo’s designs have provided inspiration for a list of well respected creatives including Belgians Martin Margiela and Ann Demeulemeester and Austrian minimalist Helmut Lang.