We are huge fans of Japanese designers and love nothing more than an asymmetric/deconstructed/androgynous, design lecturer type garment, so were really looking forward to visiting the new exhibition at the V & A celebrating the life and work of one of our favourite designers, Yohji Yamamoto.
The installation based retrospective features over 80 garments and explores the work of an amazing designer who has challenged, provoked and inspired the fashion world. Seeing the garments close up (sadly neither Amanda or I own any Yohji) highlighted the amazing craftsmanship, cutting techniques and beautiful quality of the clothes, and made us realise how much he has influenced contemporary design.
The exhibition also features some of Yamamoto's collaborations with graphic designer Peter Saville, photographer Nick Knight and film directors Marc Ascoli and Wim Wenders, among others. The breadth of his work illustrates what a true creative he really is and how he has re-written many notions of beauty in fashion and reversed gender stereotypes. We particularly love the film of his A/W 1998 catwalk show, where he presented menswear on female models, including Viviene Westwood and Charlotte Rampling.
As well as the main exhibition there are mannequins dotted around the V & A hidden amongst the museums treasures and there is a ongoing series of really interesting looking related events throughout the next few months.
The exhibition started yesterday and runs right through until the 10th of July, so you have plenty of time to see it. There is a lovely book providing a fascinating insight into the designers work, and we also bought the matt black biography, My Dear Bomb, which provides an insight into Yamamoto's influences and philosophies – a perfect present for any designers in your life!
The V & A
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Book Tickets
We're in London next week — can't wait to see this!