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.
Y3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO khaki green cotton curved hem military overshirt jacket JP3 L
By Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO khaki green cotton curved hem military overshirt jacket JP3 L Reference: WMTO/A00015 Brand: Y3 Designer: Yohji Yamamoto Material: Cotton Color: Green Pattern: Solid...
Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto Mint Cheerleader Jacket
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Cropped, short-sleeved mint cheer jacket has stretch knit cuffs, a mesh lining, and double zippers, offering a multitude of ways to wear it.
Vintage 1990s Moschino Moving Images Track Jacket
By Moschino Jeans
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a vintage Moschino Jeans "Moving Images" zippered track jacket with a film-strip motif. The jacket is composed of polyester. Made in Italy. Th...
Alexander McQueen embroidered tailored 'Sarabande' jacket, c. 2007
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
An Alexander McQueen tailored embroidered jacket from the 'SARABANDE' collection, Spring/Summer 2007. The jacket has scalloped edges with pleated trimmings throughout and black floral embroidery. French 40 - UK 12 - Italian 44 - Medium About the collection... "The inspiration is Handel’s Sarabande of the title – a majestic and elegant dance – the portraits of Goya, the turn of the century exotic and socialite Marchesa Luisa Casati and garden flowers. As always, there is a melancholic undertone: faded flowers are trapped in chiffon and lace, ruffled skirts constructed out of tiers of delicate petals and prints are botanical – brightly coloured birds and blooms, scattering swallows and winding stems of leaves. Show pieces include a dress made entirely out of frozen flowers. Tailoring is this time more fluid than it has been and clothing indebted to horsemanship is worn with finely worked, oversized pirate shirts...
Chanel 1997 Vintage Baby Blue Tweed Jacket Museum Piece Seen on Princess Diana
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Vintage Baby Blue Tweed Jacket Museum Piece Seen on Princess Diana Year: 1997 Spring Size 36 Mother of pearl buttons Baby blue tweed jacket Fringed hems Jacket shoulder 1...
Chanel 2002 Contemporary Wool Tweed Jacket with Chain Detail, Fr 40
By Chanel
Located in Sewickley, PA
Chanel Tweed Jacket with Chain detail giving the item a very contemporary look from 2002 P collection in Fr 40. The jacket is in excel...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Knitted Hooded Cardigan Coat, FW 2002
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Christian Dior ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2002 ▪ Fabric: Wool, Yak, Cashmere, Nylon, Rabbit, Kangaroo, Lambskin Leather ▪ Details: Leat...
Shockingly New Tom Ford for Gucci 2002 Jacket With Tags Size 40
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
New with Tags Tom Ford for Gucci Spring 2002 Runway Jacket Jacket that opened the runway show Size 40 Bust: 34.25" Waist: 40" Shoulder: 14" Length: 22" Sleeve: 26.25" Gender: Women...
BALENCIAGA by Nicolas Ghesquière Runway F/W 2007 Pastel Bouclé Tweed Jacket
By Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Pastel tweed jacket from Nicolas Ghesquière’s Fall/Winter 2007 collection for Balenciaga, as seen on the runway. The richly textured multicolor pastel tweed is contrasted with black ...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN pink LEATHER CROPPED BIKER Jacket 40
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
Alexander McQueen cropped biker jacket in pale pink textured calf leather. With epaulettes, buttoned notch collar, zipper pocket on the chest, buttoned flap pocket on the front, belt...
Hermès by Martin Margiela (1997–2003) - wool and cashmere jacket, size 38
By Hermès
Located in PARIS, Paris
Hermès by Martin Margiela (1997–2003) – Wool and Cashmere Jacket, Size 38 Martin Margiela’s era at Hermès (1997–2003). Silk-lined sleeves. The jacket features two patch pockets, a b...
Margiela trompe l'oeil printed jersey jacket, ss 1996
By Maison Martin Margiela
Located in London, GB
Martin Margiela jersey open jacket with trompe l'oeil digital print. Can be styled open or close with a safety pin. Spring-Summer 1996
Miuccia Prada 2017 Unisex Color Block Nappa Leather Jacket
By Miuccia Prada
Located in PARIS, FR
Prada SS17 jacket in ultra-soft nappa leather, unisex style. It creates a look that is both modern and nostalgic. With its leather panels in different colors, this jacket will add a ...
Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Beige Jacket — 1970s Ballets Russes Collection
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in PARIS, Paris
Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Beige Jacket — 1970s Ballets Russes Collection Made in France The composition label is missing, but the jacket is made of cotton. Size: 42 Measurements: L...
Tierry Mugler Vintage plaid wool jacket in couturier’s signature cut
By Thierry Mugler, Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in NICE, FR
New in Nice.vintage.darling: Tierry Mugler late 80’s/early 90’s vintage plaid tartan wool sculptural jacket in couturier’s signature cut. Size tag is: FR 40. The measurements are: S...
1990s Thierry Mugler Cruise White Jacket with Anchor Details
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Praha 4, Hlavní město Praha
Very elegant white jacket from late 1990s Thierry Mugler Cruise collection. Beautifully draped shawl collar falls down to the waist where jacket closes with two hidden metal snap bu...
Sold|$295
Size: Extra Small
New With Tags Kenneth Cole Beige Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Extra Small
By Kenneth Cole
Located in Conroe, TX
New Kenneth Cole Beige Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Extra Small Kenneth Cole Coat Brand New w/ Tags * Stunning in Beige * Sateen Overall Look and Feel * Silver and Tortoise Button...
Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO black hooded drawstring hem button down shirt jacket M
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO, Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO black hooded drawstring hem button down shirt jacket M Reference: WMTO/A00020 Brand: Y3 Designer: Yohji Yamamoto Material: Cotton, Blend Color: Black Pattern: Soli...
YOHJI YAMAMOTO red faux fur collar 3 stripes belted cropped biker jacket S
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Hong Kong, NT
YOHJI YAMAMOTO red faux fur collar 3 stripes belted cropped biker jacket S Reference: ANWU/A01082 Brand: Y3 Material: Fabric, Faux Fur Color: Red Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Lining: ...
Y3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO ADIDAS black nylon brown genuine fur reversible vest jacket S
By Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO ADIDAS black nylon brown genuine fur reversible vest jacket S Reference: ANWU/A00687 Brand: Y3 Designer: Yohji Yamamoto Material: Nylon Color: Black, Brown Pattern:...
Y-3 Size M Black Polyester Zip Up Hooded Jacket
By Y-3, Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in San Francisco, CA
Y-3 jacket comes in a black polyester featuring a hidden hooded style, back logo high collar, ribbed hem, front pockets, and a zip up closure. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marke...
Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto Black Nylon Jacket
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Black nylon jacket by Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto. High collar. Zip pocket at bust. Drawstring at waist. Dual flap pockets at hips. Zip closure at front. 34" bust, 18" should...
Y-3 by YOHJI YAMAMOTO Grey Solid Polyester Jacket
By Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in San Francisco, CA
Y-3 by YOHJI YAMAMOTO jacket comes in a grey solid polyester material, with zip pockets, zip up, logo on the left arm and ribbed cuff and hem. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked...
Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO S/S 2014 Abstract Print Mesh Hooded Bubble Hem Jacket / Dress
By Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Thiensville, WI
Y-3 by Yohji Yaimamoto in collaboration with Adidas Spring / Summer 2014 abstract print mesh hooded bubble hem jacket / dress. Runway look #9. Multicolor abstract water droplet print...