Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto (1943) is known for his out-of-the-box clothing style. Since his father was killed in the war, his mother had to work. She earned her income as a dressmaker and was even able to enroll young Yohji in law school. Because of his enthusiasm for fashion, however, Yohji Yamamoto went on to study fashion in Tokyo.

His career was boosted with his partner Rei Kawakubo, whom he first met in 1976. Kawakubo mainly created avant-garde fashion. The two fashion designers presented their first women's collections under the label "Yohji Yamamoto" in Paris (1981) and New York (1982). The first men's collection followed in 1984 (also in Paris).

The fashion style of the company is very fancy but still functional. Thus, for men, classic streetwear is combined with other elements. These can come, for example, from work clothes, uniforms, or from traditional Japan. Everyday suitability is preferred over fancy creations in women's fashion as well. The individual models - especially in women's fashion - are sometimes asymmetrical, and oversized.

In addition to avant-garde fashion, "Yohji Yamamoto" also creates costumes for Japanese festivals and the big stages. The stage costumes for "Madame Butterfly" in Lyon (1990) and "Tristan und Isolde" in Bayreuth (1993) were also created by "Yohji Yamamoto". The label has also been selling fine fragrances for men and women since 1996, with the feminine portion predominating.