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.
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Y-3 Rhita Sport Black and White Sneakers, Size 38
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The athletic shoes feature black leather and textile, lace fastening and black and white striped detail.
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Y-3 Rhita Sport Green Trainers Sneakers, Size 7
By Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The athletic sneakers are made out of green leather and nylon, featuring laces fastening and orange signature Y-3 brand sign on outer sid...
Manolo Blahnik Gray Leather Floral Applique Kitten Heel Mules Size 36.5
By Manolo Blahnik
Located in San Jose, CA
Authentic Manolo Blahnik mule heels in a timeless Y2K silhouette with a feminine floral twist. Crafted in smooth gray leather with layered floral appliqué...
Dolce & Gabbana New Men's 1990s Size US 8 / 8.5 EU 41.5 Espadrilles 90s Shoes
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in San Diego, CA
Brand new rare, never worn men's DOLCE AND GABBANA grey and ivory checkered espadrille lace-up shoes! Features an allover gray and white gingham / checker print, with ivory cotton la...
Giuseppe Zanotti Fishbone Heels (37)
By Giuseppe Zanotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic and rare Giuseppe Zanotti silver crystal fishbone sandal heels, as seen on Samantha Jones in Sex and The City (2008) and on Beyoncé at the 2003 VMA’s. Hundreds of crystals cov...
Chanel slingback shoes white and black
By Chanel
Located in London, England
Chanel slingback sandals in white ( crocodile pattern) and black. Sold out very limited. Size 38.5c new in box and dustbags.
Alaïa Paris "CALZATURE" Donna Wedge in Snakeskin
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Make a statement with these beautiful Alaïa Paris " Calzature" Donna Platform Wedges in a multi-color snakeskin. Wedge wraps around the ankle, Sz 38 1/2 These shoes come with their o...
1970s Bruno Magli Platform Sandals
By Bruno Magli
Located in Alford, MA
Iconic 1970s platform sandals by Bruno Magli in bright green leather featuring crossed straps in front, a buckled strap in back, and a 3 1/2" chunky heel.
Gucci Tom Ford 2004 Dragon GG Monogram Heels Sandals 40
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in San Jose, CA
Authentic Gucci heels from the Tom Ford era, featuring the iconic GG monogram canvas paired with metallic gold leather and one of the most recognizable design details from early 2000s Gucci. The standout dragon hardware across the front strap, finished with pearl accents and chain detail, reflects the bold, statement-driven aesthetic that defined this period. A strong mix of logo, hardware, and texture that makes these instantly recognizable without being overdone. A unique pair that works for both collectors of Tom Ford Gucci and buyers looking for standout designer heels. Details • GG monogram canvas footbed • Metallic gold leather upper • Signature dragon hardware with pearl detail • Gold-tone chain accent at front • Open toe sandal silhouette • Back zip closure • Leather sole • Made in Italy Size • EU 40C (approx. US 9.5–10 narrow) • Insole approx: 10" • Heel height: approx. 4.25" Condition Pre-owned – Excellent • Light wear to soles • Leather and canvas in strong condition • Pearls have been professionally touched up due to minor surface scratching • Overall excellent presentation and structure Keywords: Gucci Tom Ford heels, Gucci dragon...
Gucci GG Supreme 120mm Platform Sandals size 40.5
By Gucci
Located in Brossard, QC
The jumbo GG defines this pair of platform slide sandals, imagined in a versatile beige hue and sitting atop a high wedge heel. GG Supreme canvas Open toe Moulded footbed Branded ins...
Le Silla Grey sandal size 39
By Le Silla
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Heel L size With strap Heel height 12 cm (4.7 inches )
Dior Alps Après-Ski Ankle Boot Snow Boots white / navy / red 39-40
By Christian Dior
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
DiorAlps Après-Ski Ankle Boot Size 39-40 The après-ski ankle boot, created for the DiorAlps capsule, is distinguished by its bold design. White is subtly contrasted with navy and...
Hermes Avantage Sneakers
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Hermes presents their take on the classic every day sneaker with this sleek ‘Avantage’ silhouette. White calfskin leather sneakers in with a contrasting b...
Louis Vuitton Boombox Pastels Monogram Nylon Sneakers
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Do not miss out on these incredible brand new Louis Vuitton monogram high top sneakers! White leather is contrasted by the most gorgeous pastel shades of pink and blue signature Louis Vuitton monogram completed with orange and yellow accents as well as gold hardware. This is a classic high top style sneaker and also features an adjustable velcro strap at the top to allow you to change up how snug/loose you want the fit to be. These are such a fun statement sneaker that are also so wearable at the same time, pair these with a Miu Miu skirt and Moschino sweater for a playful look, or let these speak for themselves and wear these with your favorite vintage Levi's and a Prada leather jacket...
Men's Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO Size 12 Black Leather Tall Combat Boots
By Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 YOHJI YAMAMOTO
Located in San Francisco, CA
Y-3 Adidas by YOHJI YAMAMOTO combat boots feature a textured leather shaft, lace up front with gunmetal eyelets and ski hooks, smooth rubber toe, textured panels, and thick combat so...