Yohji Yamamoto

That's So New York - Yohji Yamamoto is a vital contributor to fashion, known for challenging traditional norms of clothing with his ‘Avant Garde’ style. Primarily working in Tokyo and Paris, Yamamoto frequently creates designs far removed from current trends with his signature oversized silhouettes rarely featuring colors other than black. After the devastation recently in Japan I thought it was important to recognize some of the talented individuals the country has presented to the world. Originally Yamamoto graduated with a law degree however later developed his studies into fashion design finishing his course in 1969. Yamamoto made his Paris debut in 1981 and has since created commercially successful lines such as Yohji Yamamoto (women / men) and Y’s who are bother especially popular in Tokyo while also available from New York, Paris, Antwerp and in specialized high-end department stores world wide. Yamamoto’s work has also been recognised for his collaborations with other brands for example Hermes and Mikimoto as well as various artists of different genres including Sir Elton John, Placebo and Takeshi Kitano.

Issues with finance became a huge problem for Yamamoto and his work however I personally don’t believe this is entirely relevant and has definitely not interfered with this visionary designer producing his exhibition currently displayed at the V&A, London. Yohji himself quotes ‘Painting is my passion. Thanks to the V&A they let me put my dreams on their walls!’ The exhibition will be there until July 2011 and is undoubtedly a must see with the installation- based retrospective showcase being Yamamoto ‘s first major solo UK show. - Contributor - Charlotte King

Editor/Creator - Charlotte's Web