Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese fashion designer born in Tokyo in 1943. Initially seeking a menswear approach to women's fashion, Yamamoto introduced his Y's label in 1972 with practical and high-quality ready-to-wear pieces. After several years, Y's rebranded to become Yamamoto's namesake label, through which Yamamoto became known as one of the world's leading avant-garde designers. By 1982, the label was a multi-million dollar success, churning out highly influential men's and women's collections, creating dramatic draped silhouettes predominantly dressed in black. Yohji Yamamoto jackets became avant-garde fashion staples, as did the drop-crotch Yohji Yamamoto pants, which became popular in the 2010s. Yamamoto has been working with Adidas on the joint venture Y-3 since 2003, offering the Japanese master designer's exquisite designs at a more accessible and affordable price point.