Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto was born in Tokyo,Japan in 1943. Yohji studied law before attending the Bunka fashion college in Tokyo. In 1977 he presented his first collection in Tokyo, in 1981 in Paris and then presented the collection in New York.

Yohji is known as a designer who creates the most simple dark garments but with high and unique quality with beautiful finishing. In 1986 he received the 4^th Mainichi fashion award in Tokyo.

Yohji is an avant garde fashion designer. His own line is quite popular in Tokyo, but his collaborations with other companies from Adidas to Hermes, have helped to make him a house hold name.

Yamamoto is known for an avant-garde spirit in his clothing, frequently creating designs far removed from current trends. His signature oversized silhouettes in black often feature drapery in varying textures.

Swathes of tartan combined into a tailored jacket

Layer upon layer of gathered black creating textured volume

There are elements of the past in Yohji's work, this skirt has a distinctly victorian look in the drape and gathers.

Yohji Yamamoto's collections are often percieved as dark but he makes use of colour sparingly as the focus is on the cut of the clothing.

The impact of Yamamoto's style of design in the fashion industry has seen many people take a keen interest in japanese pattern cutting. His simple lines and structured garments mean that the clothing is about function as well as fashion.

pleated silk crepe dress

Yohji wedding dress