Yohji Yamamoto Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Yohji Yamamoto
Yamamoto, February 2010
Born	(1943-10-03) 3 October 1943 (age 81) Tokyo, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Alma mater	Keio University Bunka Fashion College
Occupation	Fashion designer
Label(s)	Yohji Yamamoto Y's Y-3

Yohji Yamamoto (born October 3, 1943) is a famous Japanese fashion designer. He is known for his unique and artistic clothing styles. He works in both Tokyo and Paris. Many people see him as a master tailor. He often uses Japanese design ideas in his work.

Yamamoto has won many important awards for his fashion work. These include the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He also received Japan's Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon. These awards recognize his great contributions to fashion.

Early Life and Learning Fashion
Yohji Yamamoto's Fashion Career
Helping Fashion in China
Yohji Yamamoto's Design Ideas
Important Moments in His Career
Awards and Honors
Films About Yohji Yamamoto
See also

Early Life and Learning Fashion

Yohji Yamamoto was born in Tokyo, Japan. He studied law at Keio University. He finished his degree in 1966. He decided not to become a lawyer. Instead, he helped his mother with her dressmaking business. This is where he learned how to tailor clothes. He then studied fashion design at Bunka Fashion College. He earned his fashion degree in 1969.

Yohji Yamamoto's Fashion Career

Yamamoto first showed his designs in Tokyo in 1977. He then had shows in Paris in 1981 and New York in 1982. His first collection was called Y's. It focused on women's clothes that looked like men's garments. These clothes had simple shapes and dark colors. They were often made from washed fabrics.

Yohji Yamamoto designed gown, 1998

Designing for Women and Men

In 1983, Yamamoto told The New York Times about his ideas. He said his men's clothes looked good on women. He also wanted to make men's clothes for women. He wanted to design coats for women. He felt a coat could protect a woman's body. He wanted to shield it from "men's eyes or a cold wind."

His Main Fashion Lines

His main fashion lines are Yohji Yamamoto (for women and men) and Y's. These lines are very popular in Tokyo. You can also find them in his stores in Paris and Antwerp. Many high-end department stores also sell his clothes. Other important lines include Pour Homme and Costume d'Homme. He also has a more affordable line called Coming Soon.

Signature Style and Colors

Yamamoto is known for his unique and bold designs. His clothes often look very different from current trends. He uses oversized shapes and draped fabrics. His collections are mostly made in black. Yamamoto says black is "modest and arrogant at the same time." He also calls black "lazy and easy – but mysterious." He feels black says, "I don't bother you – don't bother me."

Overcoming Financial Challenges

In 2009, the brand faced financial problems. Bad decisions by managers led to over US$65 million in debt. This made Yamamoto very upset. The company then went through a major change from 2009 to 2010. A Japanese company called Integral Corp helped fix the brand's finances. By November 2010, the company was out of debt.

New Creative Projects

Since his Paris debut in 1981, Yohji Yamamoto has grown his influence. He is now moving into other creative areas. He launched a new project called WILDSIDE. This project explores wider creative fields.

Helping Fashion in China

In 2008, the Yohji Yamamoto Fund for Peace was created. This fund helps develop China's fashion industry. It also aims to improve relations between China and Japan. Each year, a new Chinese designer gets a scholarship. This scholarship is for two years at a fashion college. It can be in Japan or Europe. Also, a Chinese fashion model is chosen. They get to walk the runway during Paris prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) season.

Yamamoto said that young people need to be passionate. He believes that artists and designers should be passionate. He held a fashion show in Beijing in 2008 for this project. He said it was not about politics. He wanted to open a store there. He hoped Chinese people would shop there and be happy. He believes true art makes people happy and also makes them think about society.

Yohji Yamamoto's Design Ideas

Yamamoto's designs often look like Japanese drawings. He uses wide cuts in his clothes. His pieces are often oversized. He uses special and fancy materials. He also adds detailed handmade touches. The designer likes to create his pieces from the back first, not the front. He prefers to use dark colors in his designs.

Important Moments in His Career

1973: He started his company, Y's.
1977: He showed his first collection in Tokyo.
1981: He showed his first ready-to-wear collection in Paris. The Yohji Yamamoto line also started.
1984: The Yohji Yamamoto company was officially formed.
1993: He designed costumes for the opera Tristan und Isolde.
1996: He designed clothes with Red or Dead founders.
2002: He showed a haute couture (high fashion) collection in Paris.
2003: The Y's main store opened in Roppongi Hills.
2003: The Y-3 line and collection began.
2011: He had an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
2014: He designed special third kits for the Real Madrid football club.
2019: He designed the All Blacks jerseys for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
2022: He designed a special black uniform set for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team.