Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A: celebrating the designer’s 30th year in Paris.

After meticulously sorting through the Yohji Yamamoto archives in Tokyo and Paris, the V&A presents a non-traditional retrospective of the legendary and quietly influential Japanese designer. The show of over 80 women’s and menswear pieces is his first major show in the United Kingdom, and marks the first time the V&A has exhibited his designs for men.

Like all successful retrospectives and tributes, the form of the Yamamoto show– a non-chronological  ‘site-specific installation’ – reflects and enriches the subject.

Of course, the designs look right at home in an art gallery!

Yamamoto has been described as a ‘designer’s designer’, a ‘Poet of Black’ and the ‘King of Cool’.

In his own words: “Very often I feel I’ve done almost everything. Then, the next question to myself is: ‘Why are you continuing the same thing?’ A very childish answer comes back: ‘Because I love clothing.’ And each time I’m working for the next collection, next season, during fitting, during cutting, each time I find some invention. That is the moment when I feel happy, this is the only moment I feel happy”.

Runs through July 10th.

All images © V&A Museum. Top image – Nick Knight and Peter Saville