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 — yet dapper — look. A master tailor with a distinctive style, he creates 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.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Yohji Yamamoto clothing, accessories, handbags and more.
Versace Grey Evening Jumpsuit with Metallic Yoke 1998
By Versace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is delighted to offer a vintage Versace jumpsuit from the 1998 collection. The jumpsuit features a straight neckline, silver dot beaded chest and shoulder straps, a darted torso and back side, an ankle-length bottom, and an invisible zipper down the left side. Versace Size: IT 38 Fabric: 90% Wool, 10% Silk Excellent Vintage Condition Authenticity Guaranteed Photo Versace
Yohji Yamamoto Gray Mesh Top & Trouser Pants Ensemble 2004
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is thrilled to present a vintage Yohji Yamamoto gray mesh top and trouser ensemble. The top features a high ribbed neck, knit long sleeves, and a mesh body. The trousers...
Byblos Khaki Cotton Strapless Jumpsuit 1992
By Byblos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Byblos khaki cotton strapless jumpsuit with button front, pocket details, pleated pants, and cuff hems. Circa, 1992. Byblos Designed by Alan Cleaver and Keith Varty Size 42 Viscose Cotton Blend 1992 Excellent Vintage Condition Authenticity Guaranteed Byblos takes its name from a hotel in St. Tropez, France. Since its inception in 1973, starting with a group of stylists, then engaging the Milanese Gianni Versace as a designer from 1975 to 1976, then Frenchman Guy Paulin, and finally Keith Varty from the Royal College of Art in London via a period in Paris at Dorothée Bis with Alan Cleaver. Varty and Cleaver became the personification of Byblos' objectives: a young line, international, with panache, and carefree, optimistic nonchalance. In the 1980s, the color palettes and relaxed resort-influenced informality of Cleaver and Varty for Byblos became a young lingua franca...
Chloe Blue Suede & Flax Jumpsuit 2014
By Chloé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Chloe blue suede and fabric jumpsuit from the 2014 collection. It features adjustable shoulder straps, a ...
Issey Miyake Pleats Please Black Pleated Overalls 2004
By Issey Miyake Fete, Issey Miyake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is excited to offer a vintage Issey Miyake Pleats Please black pleated overall from the Spring/Summer 2004 collection, a refined and collectible example of the designer’...
Vintage Ann Demeulemeester Black Wool Romper
By Ann Demeulemeester
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Ann Demeulemeester black sleeveless v-neck romper with buttons down center front, two front pockets and one back pocket, and adjustable straps at waist and at back. Excellen...
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI grey wool 2018 MONILI STRAP Jumpsuit M
By Brunello Cucinelli
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Brunello Cucinelli jumpsuit is crafted in a refined blend of grey wool (54%) and linen (46%), offering a lightweight drape with a softly textured finish. It featu...
Y-3 Zip-off Jumpsuit - '10s
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Versatile jumpsuit by Yohji Yamamoto in khaki cotton. Zip-off vest, cropped drawstring pants with hidden belt loops. Wear as a full suit or style separately. Remarks: the compositio...
LOUIS VUITTON grey cashmere 2021 FLANNEL TAILORED SLEEVELESS Jumpsuit 38 S
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Louis Vuitton 2021 Spring/Summer sleeveless wrap jumpsuit in light grey flannel cashmere (62%), wool (36%) and silk (2%) and lined in silk...
John Galliano for Givenchy Autumn-Winter 1996 grey pinstripe strapless jumpsuit
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
John Galliano for Givenchy Autumn-Winter 1996 grey pinstripe strapless jumpsuit - two hidden side pockets - internal wired bra - invisible...
RAG & BONE 100% charmeuse silk charcoal grey belted jumpsuit US0 XS
Located in Hong Kong, NT
RAG & BONE 100% charmeuse silk charcoal grey belted jumpsuit US0 XS Reference: CELG/A00394 Brand: rag & bone Material: Silk Color: Grey Pattern: Solid Closure: Snap Buttons Extra Det...
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO black cotton blend button side drop crotch dungaree JP1 S
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Y'S YOHJI YAMAMOTO black cotton blend button side drop crotch dungaree JP1 S Reference: TGAS/D00373 Brand: Yohji Yamamoto Collection: Y'S Material: Cotton, Rayon Color: Black Pattern...
