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 — yet dapper — look. A master tailor with a distinctive style, Yamamoto launched his ready-to-wear company, Y's, in 1972, and 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 Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto jackets, shirts and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO wool button up asymmetric turtleneck knit sweater dress JP3 L
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO dark grey wool button up asymmetric turtleneck knit sweater dress JP3 L Reference: DYTG/A00103 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Material: Wool Color: Grey Pattern: Solid ...
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO white gold sequinned collar popover shirt JP1 S
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO white gold sequinned collar popover shirt JP1 S Reference: JACG/A00206 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Collection: Y's Material: Cotton Color: White, Gold Pattern: Solid...
Y’s 2004–05 By Yohji Yamamoto Black Cable Knit Sweater With Asymmetrical Sleeves
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking, concept-driven knit from Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto, this black cable-knit sweater dates to the 2004–05 season and exemplifies the designer’s mastery of proportion, texture, a...
Y's By Yohji Yamamoto Black Shaved Wool Cardigan W Saefty Pin 2001
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto black shaved wool cardigan with safety pin from the Fall/Winter 2001 collection. Crafted in textured shaved wool, thi...
Double breasted jacket with raw cut edge Y's
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Double breasted jacket with raw cut edge made of silk and cupro. Fabric composition: 55% silk, 45% cotton. Pocket on both side. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front and ...
2000's Y's pink label by Takeshi Kosaka black wide leg ultra high rise pants
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Black wide leg pants with ultra high rise and asymmetrical buckle closure designed by TAKESHI KOSAKA for Y's pink label dating to the 2000's. Very flattering fit. Japanese size '2'...
vintage Yohji Yamamoto Michiko by Y's Wool Long Sleeve dress
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Vintage Yohji Yamamoto Michiko by Y’s dress made from black wool with a slim, column-like shape through the body and long, narrow sleeves. The neckline is wide and simple, sitting ju...
Black wool asymmetrical wide trouser Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black wool asymmetrical wide trouser. Pocket on both side SIZE ON TAG 2 (JP) fit M
Y's By Yohji Yamamoto Black And White Polka Dot Wrap Top With Ties 2001
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Y's by Yohji Yamamoto black and white polka dot wrap top from the spring 2001 collection, featuring a single button closure at the top, col...
Y's By Yohji Yamamoto Black Cape Top And Pants Ensemble With White Stitching
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to present a vintage Y's by Yohji Yamamoto black cape and pants ensemble with white stitching. The ensemble features a cropped cape with a high neck c...
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO black wool double breasted belted short peacoat jacket JP3 L
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO black wool double breasted belted short peacoat jacket JP3 L Reference: WMTO/A00013 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Material: Wool, Blend Color: Black Pattern: Solid Clo...
Y’s By Yohji Yamamoto Army Green Ribbed High Neck Sweater With Ruffle 2003
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and quietly experimental knit from Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto, this army green ribbed sweater dates to 2003 and reflects the label’s refined approach to texture, asymmetry, and...
Yohji Yamamoto 2000's Pink Chrysanthemum Black Tee
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Yohji Yamamoto - 2000's - Pink Iris Black Tee - Slim fit - Short sleeves - Pink Chrysanthemum print - Made in Japan - Very good condition - Size: M for women (fits as a...
Y's By Yohji Yamamoto Brown Cardigan Sweater With Zipper 2001-02
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Y's by Yohji Yamamoto brown cardigan sweater with zipper, featuring a deep V-neckline, short sleeves, a relaxed elongated silhouette, fine ...
Y's By Yohji Navy Blue Oversized Shirt 2004
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto navy blue oversized shirt from 2004. Crafted in fluid fabric with a soft hand and elegant drape, this understated pie...
Yohji Yamamoto Y's Red Camo Blazer Jacket 2004-05
By Yohji Yamamoto, Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to present a vintage Yohji Yamamoto Y's red camo blazer jacket, featuring a a deep neckline, single-button closure, flap pockets, and a long tailcoat....
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO navy linen 4-pocket safari long-line work shirt jacket JP3 L
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO navy linen 4-pocket safari long-line work shirt jacket JP3 L Reference: WMTO/A00012 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Material: Linen Color: Blue Pattern: Solid Closure: B...
Y's By Yohji Yamamoto Black Double Breasted Wool Coat With Round Hem 2005
By Yohji Yamamoto, Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is thrilled to offer a vintage Y's by Yohji Yamamoto black double-breasted wool coat with a round hem, featuring an oversized fit, double-breasted front closure, wrap st...
Yohji Yamamoto Y'S Racerback Tank Top
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Soft, semi-sheer 100% cotton vintage Yohji Yamamoto Y's racerback long tank top is a sheer delight in cheerful yellow.
Y's By Yohji Yamamoto Duster Coat With Contrast Stitching And Open Vent
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is thrilled to present a vintage Y's by Yohji Yamamoto black duster coat with contrast stitching and an open vent, featuring long sleeves, a front pocket, front ...
Yamamoto Black Wool Top
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Yamamoto - (Made in Japan) Black wool top. Size 2, it fits a 38FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 40 cm Chest: 42 cm Sleeve length: 58 cm Length: 60 cm Co...
Y’s By Yohji Yamamoto Black Snap Front Sleeveless Cocoon Sweater 2004-05
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural and quietly dramatic knit from Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto, this black sleeveless cocoon sweater dates to the 2004–05 season and exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to...
Y’s 2004–05 By Yohji Yamamoto Black Knit Pants With Wide Suspenders & D-Rings
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and conceptually driven piece from the Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto Autumn/Winter 2004–05 collection, these black knit pants exemplify the designer’s mastery of utilitarian detai...
Y’s 2004–05 By Yohji Yamamoto Black Knit Skirt With Suspenders & D-Rings
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural and utilitarian-inflected design from the Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto Autumn/Winter 2004–05 collection, this black knit skirt exemplifies the line’s balance of conceptual desi...
Y'S by Yohji Yamamoto Tank Top
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Steel blue woven cotton racerback tank top from Y'S by Yohji Yamamoto. This vintage tank is tunic length, making it a versatile piece.
Yohji Yamamoto White Cotton High-Low Sweater With Cutout Ss 2001
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Yohji Yamamoto lightweight white high-low sweater with a cutout from the spring 2001 collection, featuring a straight neckline, three-quart...
Yamamoto Black Woolen Shirt
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Yamamoto - (Made in France) Black woolen shirt. Indicated size M. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Shoulder width: 48 cm - Chest: 56 cm - Sleeve le...
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO asymmetric zip up multi pockets military jacket JP3 L
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO khaki green cotton asymmetric zip up multi pockets military jacket JP3 L Reference: WMTO/A00016 Brand: Y's Yohji Yamamoto Material: Cotton Color: Green Pattern: So...
Y's Yohji Yamamoto Vintage Black Sheer Rayon Shirt with Pearl Buttons
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in PARIS, FR
A black sheer shirt by Y's by Yohji Yamamoto with mother of pearl button details on the front lapel. Unlined, with a transparent quality that is characteristic of Yamamoto's approac...
Jeans Yohji Yamamoto anni'90
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Jeans a gamba larga Y's Yohji Yamamoto in denim nero anni'90 Tasconi sul retro con dettagli impunture bianchi Misure: Vita 44cm Fianchi 55cm Gamba 31cm Lunghezza 100cm
Yohji Yamamoto 2000's Cotton Cross Grey Purple Longsleeve
By Yohji Yamamoto, Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Yohji Yamamoto - 2000's period - Cotton Cross Grey Longsleeve - Round neckline - Cross pattern - Purple and black squared - Longsleeve - Slim crop fit - Made in Japan -...
Y's Yohji Yamamoto Short Brown Lace Up Jacket
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This fitted brown cotton jacket from Yohji Yamamoto Y's straps you in with a front lacing system including silver hooks.
Yohji Yamamoto Y's Black Belted Raincoat
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Black cotton belted button-down raincoat from vintage Y's is lined with a 100% wool detachable lining and offers hook and eye fasteners at collar to keep you cozy when the weather wo...
Yohji Yamamoto Scoop Neck Tank Top
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage Yohji Yamamoto Y's tank top features a scoop neckline and racerback cut, both asymmetrical by design. The black and white harlequin pattern courses and changes as it flows ac...
Yohji Yamamoto Seamless Top
By Yohji Yamamoto Y's
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This vintage Y's by Yohji Yamamoto round neck tee features seamless style construction, allowing the uninterrupted flow of typed black verbiage about fashion across front and back of...