INSIDE THE MINIMALIST POETRY OF Y’S BY YOHJI YAMAMOTO

Y’s is one of the earliest and most foundational expressions of the Yohji Yamamoto universe — a line created to translate the designer’s avant-garde language into garments meant for everyday life. While Yohji is internationally known for dramatic silhouettes, conceptual runway shows and his unmistakable “poet of black” aesthetic, Y’s distills these ideas into wearable, functional, elegantly understated pieces that retain the same spirit of rebellion, craft and sculptural beauty.

More than a diffusion line, Y’s is a cornerstone of Yamamoto’s philosophy: clothing for people who live and move, built with intention, subtle complexity and respect for the body.

Anti-Fashion as Identity

Since debuting in Paris in 1981 alongside Rei Kawakubo, Yamamoto has challenged Western ideas of beauty, glamour, gender and body. His work rejects conventional “flattery,” celebrating asymmetry, imperfection, raw edges and silhouettes that create their own sculptural forms.

Yohji once famously said: “I think perfection is ugly.” This ethos guides all his brands, including Y’s.

Black as a Philosophy, Not a Color

For Yohji, black is humility, elegance, rebellion and structure. It highlights shadows, movement, texture and detail — a poetic alternative to flashy fashion.

Clothing Made to Empower, Not Decorate

Yohji’s clothing respects the wearer’s dignity. It avoids tightness, objectification and constraint — instead offering room to live, think and breathe.

His work draws from Japanese craftsmanship, tailoring traditions, performance arts and everyday working clothes. Y’s is the clearest continuation of this lineage into real daily wardrobe.

ORIGINS & CONCEPT OF Y's

Founded in 1972, Y’s was Yohji’s first full brand — created a decade before the Paris runway collections that would bring him global fame.

Y’s was established with a clear purpose: to design “everyday wear” for women and men who move, work and live — with comfort, strength and quiet individuality.

This practical elegance distinguishes Y’s from Yohji Yamamoto’s dramatic runway lines, yet the core design DNA remains the same: dark palettes, striking proportions, Japanese tailoring, asymmetry and meticulous construction.

THE Y’S IDENTITY

Y’s stands for:

• functional avant-garde — pieces meant to be lived in
• real clothing for real bodies — freedom of movement and comfort
• tactile, textural fabrics — canvas, gabardine, linen, technical blends
• subtle femininity and relaxed masculinity — naturally gender-fluid
• the unusual made useful — wearable experimental design

DESIGN LANGUAGE: THE Y’S INTERPRETATION OF YOHJI’S WORLD

Utility & Functionality with Sculptural Ease

Y’s features workwear-inflected jackets, longline tunics, wide trousers, multi-pocket garments and adjustable silhouettes designed for confidence and fluidity.

Understated Drama

Where the mainline embraces theatrical volume, Y’s translates these ideas into quiet complexity suitable for everyday life.

An Earthy, Textural Palette

Alongside signature black, Y’s explores charcoal, dusty grey, indigo, muted neutrals and washed earth tones — exceptionally wearable year-round.

Craft-Driven Construction

Asymmetrical hems, raw edges, slouch, artisanal pleating and Japanese pattern cutting define the collection. What appears simple reveals depth on closer study.

Gender-Fluid Design Ethos

Y’s expresses femininity and masculinity in fluid, unforced ways — inviting interpretation rather than dictating identity.

MATERIALS, CRAFT & CONSTRUCTION

Y’s garments are crafted with the same respect for materials found across Yohji’s universe. Predominantly made in Japan, fabrics include gabardine, washed cotton, linen, jersey with sculptural weight, wool blends and performance textiles.

Pieces are designed to last, to layer and to evolve over time — becoming more expressive with wear.

WHO Y’S SPEAKS TO

Y’s appeals to individuals who:

• appreciate avant-garde design but need daily wearability
• gravitate toward quiet, poetic minimalism
• value craft, comfort and architectural silhouettes
• seek gender-neutral styling and relaxed structure
• embody Yamamoto’s universe without runway-level extremes
• view clothing as part of identity rather than decoration

At Orimono, Y’s complements more dramatic avant-garde brands — grounding the wardrobe with garments that feel real, functional and timelessly expressive.