Y's Yohji Yamamoto

After earning a law degree in 1966, Yohji Yamamoto pursued his true calling in fashion at the prestigious Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo. By the early 1970s, he began designing anonymously, before launching his first label, Y’s, in 1977—a line that remains central to his work today.

In 1981, Yamamoto, alongside Rei Kawakubo, debuted their groundbreaking women’s prêt-à-porter collections in Paris. Their radical deconstructed aesthetic with unfinished hems, flowing silhouettes, and an austere, monochrome palette challenged conventional ideas of beauty and redefined global fashion. In 1984, Yamamoto expanded his vision with his first menswear collection, further solidifying his status as a pioneer.

At the heart of Y’s is an emphasis on functional yet dignified everyday wear. Each piece reflects Yamamoto’s distinct approach to cut and silhouette, the interplay of texture, and the subtle shaping of space between garment and body. Positioned as a line of practical, high-quality prêt-à-porter, Y’s offers a more understated expression of Yamamoto’s core identity, where traditional tailoring meets idiosyncratic design.