The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will add garments by Japanese designer Tamae Hirokawa to its permanent collection. Seven bodysuits from her signature "Skin Series" line, which explores the concept of seamless knitwear as a "second skin," will be displayed in the spring 2026 Costume Art exhibition. Hirokawa joins fellow Japanese designers Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo, and Hanae Mori in the museum's Costume Institute collection. The exhibition, held in new galleries adjacent to the Great Hall, pairs garments with artworks to highlight the relationship between clothing and the body.
This acquisition marks a significant recognition of Hirokawa's innovative fusion of advanced textile technology and symbolic body engagement. By placing her work in dialogue with that of her mentor Issey Miyake, the Met underscores the evolution of Japanese fashion design on a global stage. The inclusion also reflects the Costume Institute's ongoing effort to expand its representation of contemporary designers who push the boundaries of craft and materiality, ensuring Hirokawa's legacy reaches future audiences.