Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese fashion designer whose work challenges conventional ideas of fit, silhouette and gendered clothing. Born in Tokyo, he established Y’s in 1972 and developed collections known for asymmetry, generous shapes and an often restrained use of colour.

Fabric is central to his practice, with textiles made to his specifications and techniques drawn from Japanese dyeing and embroidery. His clothes frequently rework the relationship between the body and the garment, including women’s designs that borrow from menswear. The Victoria and Albert Museum’s 2011 retrospective and related live presentation examined his contribution to fashion across both men’s and women’s collections.