Rei Kawakubo has made me eternally grateful for the recession. In an attempt to bring some “positive energy” to these not-so-positive times, the designer launched Black Comme Des Garcons, a temporary “guerrilla” line with price points that won’t cripple your bank account.

The brand hit New York late last month in the form of a pop-up shop. Nestled under the High Line on the corner of 17th Street and 10th Avenue, the mini boutique is a black-and-white flash of quirky Comme minimalism. The space itself features two sharp black cubicles, each lined with the limited-edition designs and surrounded by stark white walls.

The clothes are, of course, black, with the occasional white accent. There are polka dot blouses, checkered tops and amazing drop-crotch shorts that run from $84 to $350. White and black scalloped blouses with simplistic topstitching hang amongst oversized Bermuda shorts and at $660, a washed-polyester tuxedo jacket, tails and all, is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. While some of the pieces are unisex, menswear will be officially introduced in the coming weeks as the next cycle of designs hits the store.

Just how long will we be privy to these reduced Comme price points? Kawakubo says that the line will stay put for the duration of the recession, which is projected to be 18 months. However, after experiencing the magnificence that is Comme Des Black, I’m not quite so antsy for a speedy economic recovery.

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