The avant-garde Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto has said, “dirty is good.” These three words capture the eccentric designer’s love of a dark and disheveled — but dapper — look. A master tailor with a distinctive style, Yamamoto deconstructed conventional silhouettes with his ready-to-wear company, Y's, and pioneered one of the first collaborations between luxury fashion and sportswear by way of the Y-3 collaboration with Adidas. He continues to create everything from coats and jackets to day dresses and evening gowns.
Yamamoto was born to a World War II widow in 1943. By the time he was 26, he had a law degree from Keio University and a fashion degree from Bunka Fashion College. In 1969, he won two Japanese fashion awards — the Endo Award and the Soen Award — which included a round-trip ticket to Paris.
It was in the French capital that Yamamoto realized the fashion world was changing. A casual aesthetic was replacing formal and classical sensibilities. He soon set up his first label — Y’s — and embarked upon designing heavy-duty sportswear.
Yamamoto launched women’s collections in 1977 in Tokyo, in 1981 in Paris and in 1982 in New York. Their pieces loosened the traditional female clothing silhouette in favor of shapes more typical of menswear: simple cuts, minimal details and generous proportions. In 1983, the New York Times wrote, “Yohji Yamamoto may stand barely five feet tall, but his effect on world fashion in the last two years has been enormous.”
In 1984, he made his first foray into men’s fashion under the Yohji Yamamoto label. In 1994, he was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture and, in 2002, he became the creative director of Adidas’s Y-3.
Yamamoto’s fashion has been the subject of exhibitions around the world, including “May I help you” in 2002 at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, “Correspondences” in 2005 at the Gallery of Modern Art in Florence, Italy, and “Painting and Weaving Opportunity” in 2017 at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery. In 2017, he received the DFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Find vintage Yohji Yamamoto Adidas Y-3 clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO grey 100% wool checkered black Y safety pin fringe scarf
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO grey 100% wool checkered black Y safety pin fringe scarf Reference: DYTG/A00059 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Collection: Y'S Material: Wool Color: Grey, Black Pattern...
Iris Mink Cashmere Merino Soft Handwoven Modern Artisanal Scarf
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Iris Mink Cashmere Merino Handwoven Scarf by Studio Variously in designed Michigan and handwoven by master artisans in Nepal, is more than a scarf—it is a story of craftsmanship, car...
Iris Brown Cashmere Merino Soft Handwoven Modern Artisanal Scarf
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Iris Brown Cashmere Merino Handwoven Scarf by Studio Variously in designed Michigan and handwoven by master artisans in Nepal, is more than a scarf—it is a story of craftsmanship, ca...
Christian Dior White & black cashmere Toile de Jouy Soleil wrap shawl 55x55 inch
By Christian Dior
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
Christian Dior White & black cashmere Toile de Jouy Soleil wrap shawl The versatile design allows for endless styling possibilities—tie it around your neck, adorn your handbag, ...
Ralph Lauren Equestrain Silk Scarf
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Ralph Lauren Equestrain cahsmere and Silk blend shawl in black with a horse and tackle motif.
Hermes "Tree of Song" Silk Print Twilly Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Hermes "Tree of Song" Silk Print Twilly Scarf is a stunning accessory that embodies elegance and artistic craftsmanship. Crafted from luxurious silk, this twilly features a vibrant a...
Hermès Blue Brandebourg Gavroche Scarf New in Box
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
New Hermès rare silk twill Brandebourg 16.5" square scarf designed by Cathy Latham. Hand-rolled edges. Comes with original box.
Verheyen London Chained Stole in Black Fox Fur & Silk Lining with Chain
By Verheyen London
Located in London, GB
Verheyen London Chained Stole in Black Fox Fur & Silk Lining with Chain PRODUCT DETAILS The chained stole is Verheyen London’s new creation for the classic or biker chic look....
$235
H 34.65 in W 34.65 in
1990s Baroque Symmetrical Pattern Chocolate Brown Silk Scarf by Stefano Ricci
By Stefano Ricci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This exquisite 1990s vintage scarf from Stefano Ricci exemplifies the pinnacle of Italian luxury and textile artistry. Crafted from heavyweight, lustrous silk, the design features a ...
$1,600
H 55.12 in L 55.12 in
Hermes Shawl L’Instruction du Roy – CS140 – Bleu Ardoise - New Store Tag!
By Hermès
Located in Ottawa, CA
L’Instruction du Roy – CS140 – Bleu Ardoise – Marine – NWST - 2508211507 Brand: Hermès Type/Model: Shawl 140 Cashmere & Silk (CS140) Name Design: L’Instruction du Roy, The King’...
COMME DES GARCONS, Wool Blend Aya-Ori Weave Black Oversize Scarf
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Kingston, NY
COMME DES GARCONS, Wool Blend Aya-Ori Weave Black Oversize Scarf Made in Japan WIDTH: 20" ; LENGTH: 49" From an Important Collection. Provenance from the creator of, "Think Big" o...
Alexander McQueen, dotted skull tuxedo scarf
By Alexander McQueen
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Alexander McQueen, dotted tuxedo scarf with skull print and fringes. The item is in very good condition.
Chanel Flap Bag Motif Silk Scarf with Box
By Chanel
Located in Glasgow, GB
Description: Silk scarf from Chanel. In shades of black, burgundy, ivory and gold the scarf carries the classic motif of the brand's iconic 2.55 Flap Bag with logo border. Rolled edg...
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO grey 100% wool checkered black Y safety pin fringe scarf
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO grey 100% wool checkered black Y safety pin fringe scarf Reference: DYTG/A00059 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Collection: Y'S Material: Wool Color: Grey, Black Pattern...