Monday, May 16, 2011

Yohji Yamamoto Exhibition London 12th of March to 10th of July 2011 V&A


The exhibition at the V&A uses video, photography and sample pieces from Yamamoto’s start in fashion to his modern day collection to capture the essence of his work and impact on fashion in the last 50 years. Yohji, after finishing a law degree at the capital decided he would rather help his mother, a seamstress providing the only income of the family. His mother however thought it would be best to learn the trade professionally so as to be taken seriously by her fellow seamstresses.  He therefore studied at Bunkafukuso Gakuin school of fashion. Following success in Japan, he decided to present his collection in Paris in 1981 and the rest is history. What is interesting in Yohji’s work is his constant battle with the norms of what women and men are expected to wear. The exhibition provides insight on the boundaries he crosses, typically with men in long kilt like skirts and woman in tailored over sized suits. He also made an impact on fashion photography, giving life to the clothes by capturing them in motion. He changed the way clothes are displayed on the catwalk, opting for less formal shows with models coming out of all corners, with the audience dotted around the room. Yohji stands out from the fashion crowd for his eccentricity, making fashion an art form. 

S/S 2008

 Yellow strapless silk dress and oversized coolie hat covered with draped silk, Yohji Yamamoto, Spring/Summer 1997
 V&A 2011

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