Back in Black – Adidas Y-3

a/w 2020

Yohji Yamamoto is known for the avant-garde spirit of his clothing. Dark and futuristic, his signature oversized silhouettes in black often feature drapery in layered textures. Pieces to be found in the wardrobes of both villains and heroes of apocalyptic animation movies. Characters with mysterious pasts able to cast long shadows.

Born in Tokyo, Yamamoto graduated from Keio University with a degree in law in 1966. His mother was a dressmaker who had a shop in in Kabukicho (an amusement and entertainment district in Tokyo’s Shinjuku). After graduating, he realised a law career was not for him. “I didn’t want to join the ordinary society,” he told BoF. “So I told my mother after graduation… I want to help you.” Yamamoto’s mother agreed to let him work at her shop, saying he could learn from the sewing assistants. At her request, he also enrolled at Bunka Fashion College, now famous for training designers including Kenzo Takada, Junya Watanabe and Yamamoto himself.

Inspired by the now sadly cancelled Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the first FW20 drop by Y-3 combines traditional sportswear with a futuristic vision to celebrate the Olympics. With our regular villains and heroes sidelined it is now up to us mortals to step up and start casting shadows ...