Comme des Garçons Black and White Print Silk Skirt

A print on silk behaves unlike a print on any other cloth, and the reason is optical rather than chemical. The cloth here is silk throughout, and silk is a continuous filament with a triangular cross-section, so it reflects light directionally: a plane facing you and a fold turning away from you return different amounts of the same color. Lay a pattern across that and the pattern is effectively relit every time the wearer moves, which is why a printed silk skirt keeps finding new arrangements of itself and a printed cotton one does not. The print here is abstract and floral in black and white, which is the combination that benefits most, because there is no color to distract from what the light is doing and the whole effect is carried in contrast. Black and white also means the skirt goes with a wardrobe rather than organizing one around itself.

We do not buy many prints, and the ones we do buy have to survive being looked at for a long time. Abstract beats figurative on that test almost every time.

The main line's prints tend to be arrangements rather than pictures, and this is a straightforward example: something floral in origin that has stopped trying to be a flower.

One hundred percent silk, printed with an abstract floral design in black and white. Made in Japan.

Silk has more weight than it looks to have on a hanger and it will find the body as the day goes on, so a silk skirt settles rather than staying exactly where it was put. There is no stretch in it, so choose for the waist.

With the Ruffle Top, white against a black and white print, which is the plainest version. Under the Asymmetrical Blazer. With the Cutout Sweater when the skirt should be the loud half.

Printed silk is a dry-clean garment unless the label on the piece says otherwise, and antiperspirant does more damage to silk than wearing it does. If it is pressed, press on the reverse while slightly damp and never directly on the print. Our care guidance covers silk in more detail.

The Black and Silver Skirt carries its pattern on a coated surface, and the Floral-Jacquard A-Line Midi Skirt is pleated and red. There is more on the house on the Comme des Garçons designer page. Everything we carry from Comme des Garçons is listed together.