Born in Tokyo in 1943, Yohji Yamamoto was a graduate of the prestigious Keio University and Bunka Fashion College (Bunkafukuso Gakuin), Yamamoto is a keen harmonica player and fan of Bob Dylan. In 1970, he began designing women’s clothing. Two years later, he set up his own company, Y’s and he showed his first collection in Tokyo in 1977. His unique style attracted universal recognition after showing his spring/summer collection in Paris in 1983.

Said Yohji: “People of my generation were ripped off by economic success: during our youth, the industry kept pumping out new products we couldn’t believe in, because we knew, come tomorrow, they would be out of style. So we became the first generation to wear second-hand clothes.”

Yamamoto is the only Japanese fashion designer to have been awarded the French Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres. He was the winner of the Mainichi Fashion Grand Prize in 1986. Today, Yohji Yamamoto is known widely for his collaboration with Adidas and the creation of the Y-3 brand.

What are the origins of Y-3? Yohji Yamamoto, one of the most influential and avante garde designers of our time, approached Adidas as the original sports brand to initiate collaboration. Together Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto developed a collection that represents fashion, sport, fine craftsmanship and the future of sportswear.

The philosophy: Y-3 has not only been created with an image and prestige perspective in mind, but also to become successful business-wise. Y-3 completes the Adidas product range from sports performance to sport heritage as the third Adidas division sports style.