AP/AFP/VOGUE – Yohji Yamamoto’s passion for blending extends seamlessly to both music and fashion. He has even taken the stage for his own concerts, carefully curating playlists that transition from jazz to gypsy and Middle Eastern melodies.
This collection’s inspiration finds its roots in the designer’s deep admiration for the mingling of civilisations and languages in the historical and Middle European context.
Yamamoto’s affection for mixing resonates in music as well as fashion, as evident in his concerts and clothing line. His current collection draws inspiration from the crossroads of ancient and Middle European civilisations. This sartorial re-interpretation embodies a journey along the historic Silk Road, reviving its cultural tapestry through intricate fabrics and finishes.
Pieces made of noble materials, including several types of Japanese silk, velvet, and thick brocade in resonant, shadowy hues, were layered one atop the other in considered measure.
The most technically complex development was a double-faced fabric printed not once but twice with two completely different ikat motifs; that appeared as jackets, trousers and coats that themselves symbolised the age-old cross-pollination of Asian and European cultures. A silver claw cuff evoked falconry, an iconic Arabian sport that spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages and is still practiced in Uzbek culture.
At 79, Yamamoto feels he still has many horizons yet to explore. “Culture is a mix of everything,” he said. “There is no border with materials.”
