Fashion career profile
Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese fashion designer whose work spans his namesake house, Y’s and the adidas collaboration Y-3. He studied law at Keio University before graduating from the design course at Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo. He founded Y’s in 1972 and presented Yohji Yamamoto in Paris in 1981; the menswear line Yohji Yamamoto POUR HOMME followed in 1984. His work explores volume, drape and the construction of clothing, often using dark palettes and unconventional proportions. The first Y-3 runway collection with adidas was presented in Paris in October 2002, bringing his approach to tailoring into dialogue with sportswear. Bunka’s alumni record also documents his 2011 recognition as a Commandeur of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. His archive encompasses distinct labels and collaborations rather than a succession of unrelated fashion-house appointments.
- Role
- founder and creative director of Yohji Yamamoto
- Nationality
- Japanese
- Age
- 83
- Career appointments
- 1
- Fashion houses
- 1
- Y-3 — Designer collaboration with adidas2002–End not documented · status not documented
- Yohji Yamamoto POUR HOMME Spins Its FW18 Spider Web Into a Four-Piece CapsuleHypebeast Fashion · 2026-10-15
- Le Bon Marché Will Bring Japanese Fashion Archives to the Auction FloorWWD · 2026-10-12
- Yohji Yamamoto POUR HOMME and WESCO Drop Collaborative Boots Featuring First-Ever White LeatherHypebeast Fashion · 2026-10-05
- Education: Keio University; Bunka Fashion CollegeStudied law at Keio, then completed the design course at Bunka. · Bunka Fashion College
- Collaboration: Y-3 with adidasThe first runway collection was presented in Paris in October 2002; runway debut and later commercial launch dates are distinct. · adidas
- 1981 — Paris collection debutPresents the Yohji Yamamoto label in Paris.
- 1984 — POUR HOMME introducedThe namesake menswear collection is introduced.
- 2002 — First Y-3 runway collectionadidas and Yamamoto present the inaugural Y-3 collection in Paris in October.
- 1972–Present — Founder and Creative Director — Yohji YamamotoCurrent appointment · Yohji Yamamoto