Yohji Yamamoto: “Designing men’s clothing is very difficult for me” | V&A

Visionary designer Yohji Yamamoto has made a vital contribution to fashion, challenging the traditional norms of clothing with his avant-garde style.
Shot in his Tokyo studio in 2011, in this video he reflects on a 30 year career in fashion. The influential and enigmatic designer speaks about his creative values, considers how his work has evolved since his Paris debut and explains why he designs so differently for men and women.
This film was originally produced for the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition, on display March - July 2011.
Interview questions:
Yamamoto on first showcasing his work in Paris: 0:18
Designing differently for men and women: 02:13
What motivates you to keep designing?: 04:39
What do you think of fashion now?: 05:34
What makes you happy?: 06:37
Find out more: www.vam.ac.uk/...

[@daveandgena3166]

"Beautiful things are disappearing every day." Yamamoto is someone worth listening to.

[@pvm6732]

Yes. This stood out to me as well. It is a call to arms for all artists of the world. We are in danger of seeing the world brutilised and we must influence a shift if we can. May we all strive for this with every breath we take.

[@indiancowpissdrinker7151]

he is good looking

[@RichMitch]

"Comfortable profit is enough to keep on going" Beautiful sentiment ❤

[@williamli7928]

Walking living legend. Yohji Yamamoto is an artistic fashion designer who understands the deep true meaning of “design”. Some people put their logos on every product they make and call their clothes “design”. There is not a single logo on yohji’s and rei kawakubo’ s clothes, but you can still tell they make those clothes. That’s what the Japanese designers call “craftsmanship”.

[@sshowgirl933]

he is great

[@appartement2046]

Well, Rei's comme des garçons heart logo is basically what keeps her business afloat

[@sshowgirl933]

@@appartement2046 i did't now ! i love comme des garcons

[@williamli7928]

@@appartement2046 yeah I know. You’re right. that’s commes des garçons play. This basic entry line is introduced for those who are not yet able to afford her suits and dresses. Like homme.

[@bringiton5282]

While you're here spitting on logos, others create jobs by selling logos.

[@ajsuflena156]

loved how he described women as a sand dune our bodies shape moving changing with wind carved by wind

[@PHOBlIA]

Men's fashion on the other is too rigid and held back by rules for what a "man" should be. This is why men are restricted to the basic shirts and pants combination.

[@men_del12]

@@PHOBlIA That's ironic since back then fashions usually favor more into men's clothing trends.

[@rileytyfy]

I wonder if he's influenced at all by Akira Kurosawa's film works

[@Toodle.Pipp001]

A true artist and craftsman, not everyone worships at the alter of greed.

[@hanssolos3699]

He is in the MOST FINEST CATEGORY OF FASHION INVENTORS together with: YSL JPG Rei Kawabuko Vivienne Westwood Thierry Mugler Iris Van Harpen Absolute class of genius ❤️

[@xmoreno3366]

❤️

[@shudaiyokoyama1082]

iris van harpen ?hell no

[@sandechoir]

Rick Owen , Alexander Mcqueen

[@odinxrk1424]

McQueen, Haider Ackermann, Dries van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester

[@santanagaray]

Cristobal Balenciaga

[@SuperCobaltblue]

Yoji is not just a designer. He is a philosopher. He uses clothing as a means to express his view of the world.

[@perryroobay]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 'Comfortable is enough'

[@MTMF.london]

Yeah, most people (especially in the developed world) have enough to live comfortably. Unfortunately a lot of them want to have more - certainly more than the next door neighbor - and it all becomes a competition. More money, more clothes, more cars, more houses ....

[@perryroobay]

@@MTMF.london Agreed. I once lived in Miami and my only positive observation of their excessive world was that when you scratch the surface - you just get more surface 🤨

[@FunSoSoToTo]

01:30 - 02:10 i'm so touched for what he said here,,, Finally I heard someone shares the same sentiment,, I dislike when people expect from all fashion designers to have the same flashy behaviour like the mainstream image of fashion, far from anything that respects the craft itself

[@victorcraraujo]

This was beautiful. What an amazing interview - very calming and enlightening. Thank you

[@despres380]

i have always felt bad for guys because most of the clothing made for them is so mind numbingly boring. they're not allowed to have even a little fun with their fashion, or else they'll be shamed out of it.

[@Toumakawa]

I really hope that society and the world as a whole will get rid of what it means to be a “man” or a “woman”. I’d like to try out more “out there” things with fashion but society can be quite harsh when it comes to stuff like that sadly

[@ShotsMerkzAll]

look up takahiro miyashia, jun takahashi, tom fords gucci, hedi slimane dior and any of the avant garde designers Paul Hamden, Carol Christian Poell, Deepti… you’ll see it’s not boring, but yes other men are often bullyish to each other instead of supportive

[@the77th]

Function > Fashion! Men are generally more utility and function based biologically! Logic & Function! The fashion is simply art imitating life ! It’s not just “social norms” that restricts men’s fashion 😂 it’s men in general

[@s0ne01]

Personally the simple look to me is perfect, allows me to mix and match, colours, sizes, texture , etc. Especially when comes to different seasons, I'd like to complement my SO, im not really one for having the crowds attention, but being comfortable and confident in what im wearing.

[@victorl3969]

I appreciate your sympathy. I very much agree. It is this exact reason that has me considering making my own clothing for myself to wear. Something more balanced with masculine and feminine.

[@Mukundi_cyn]

It's now that I'm discovering Yohji Yamamoto, hope I'm not too late man... this guy has a deep insight about fashion and I love his pieces. "Designing women's clothing is like a journey".. "Beautiful things are disappearing everyday"

[@MrPtuber]

I don’t like this way of thought. Men want to be fashionable these days.

[@angelbiscuits]

his voice is so soothing.

[@komailmah4943]

With certain brands and designers, it's like living in their neatly curated feed; it's fake, but it looks good, presents a setting and is almost like living a play. It probably could serve as art and make you think. But art doesn't speak in words, and even if it does, it definitely does not hear.

[@analisa8105]

Well said

[@elpatron7750]

"I dont care too much about property like a big house, private jet, big castle. [...] My most gorgeous moment is creating, growing. So in the minute, I am very lucky and a happy man" Everyone liked that

[@brandonkem6740]

I think the greatest designers should be those who successfully design for men. And it is the exact reason he said it was difficult. With women’s fashion being so open you have no restraints. Men’s fashion requires more thought and creativity to actually break out of the box of jacket, shirt, and pants that he describes

[@kevinslaven9460]

I think he underestimates how great a men's designer he is. No one makes better "androgynous" clothing than he does. Men and women look beautiful in his menswear designs

[@houndoom1234]

Men can be a desert too :

[@monicaalexandru9638]

I was thinking the same. I think it’s because he’s a man. He sees it as a journey because it is a journey to grasp, to reach towards or have a temporary oneness(in an intellectual way, through his craft) with a different body, a different way of being in some sense. A woman might easily say the reverse is true.

[@margo3367]

I thought it was interesting that he said, the sand is constantly shifting on women's bodies. The sand has definitely shifted on my body over the years.

[@kayaeki]

ive no idea why I like painting and drawing women more than men

[@theboy.inblack]

As he said, true happiness is being able to keep ding what you love.

[@nilousettimio8730]

I love this guy and absolutely adore his clothes. He is a philosopher, a creator and our society needs more people like him.

[@neroyu1652]

his voice is calming and wise

[@corneliuswashington9218]

HE...REI...AND ISSEY MIYAKE...REALLY were a serious movement in fashion that still endures today...love all three of them...

[@beadmecreative9485]

As if a monk became a fashion designer

[@rrf9405]

WHY do the captions provided show different words than he speaks? come on. this eloquent, insightful man does not need his words rearranged for clarity, he is perfectly clear.

[@cn4life]

I understand and appreciate both what he said and the translation, maybe some people misunderstood so the translation helps to clarify what he meant. Its not always to demean, the subtitles were helpful chill out.

[@watermelon520b]

Because his grammar was incorrect at times...

[@MTMF.london]

@@watermelon520b Considering English is his third language, I think he does well enough.

[@gushendif]

are you guys about to take it as racist or some shit? like cmon, english is my 3rd or 4th language and some words he said arent that clear for me, the caption really helped me alot.

[@rrf9405]

@@gushendif no claims about racism, yikes, you can relax. captions are fine especially where accent is a factor. but i wanted the captions to have said his exact words. i thought they rephrased him unnecessarily, his command of the language and his word choice was fine. that’s it.

[@kristerre1753]

Comfortable profit. That's a true passionate artist.✨✨✨

[@ette1427]

I like that he says beautiful things are disappearing everyday, it’s true, he is very wise

[@jaynex903]

He is down to reality... His thoughts on fashion and the world...hard to find in today's industry.

[@Marina.Kudrevskaya]

thank you V&A for this interview!

[@언더커버사카이]

really want to ask what was he thinking when his brand collaborated with supreme

[@HugoMRB]

He probably wanted to see more people on the streets wearing his designs, at least that's the reason he created the Y3 line with Adidas

[@hanssolos3699]

so eloquent even the way he speaks. I adore him ❤️

[@callderr]

really interesting that an older man that has achieved so much is still focussed on growing

[@rosameltrozo5889]

My favorite designer

[@Thomas-fu8vp]

Yohji Yamamoto 's Male fashion =French bohemian+Japanese minimalism ++++++++++ : wonderful. Beauty is disappearance. Please stop smoking though, it isn't pleasant to see you endanger your existence.

[@MTMF.london]

He's free to do what he wants.

[@kyupified2440]

Sadly that is the coping mechanism of smokers whenever stressed. It cannot be stop too if they’ve been doing it for years, they will suffer from withdrawal

[@mymelodyssaxophone7724]

If you are a creative person - you can create anything. It is not that designing men’s clothing is hard - our social structure is limiting from going for something. Break these “borders” and your hands are free

[@knowledge.x2968]

Agree

[@johnpresnell]

Thank you for posting this. He’s a true artist/philosopher.

[@LuminousKugelblitz]

Today is the first day I'm learning about this legend. Loved every word he uttered.

[@rz1974]

I always liked Yohji's focused take on menswear, but after this interview it reads more as a joyless effort and an outdated view on men, and he was right in saying that his motivation is arrogant, to proclaim some sort of duty to design frames it as an act of selflessness and public service, I love his work and how in practice its slow fashion but the world and his cult followers will survive without another repetitive self referential YY collection, there should be no shame in admitting the selfish joy of creation as motivation

[@UdahamulleNdarathanaHimi]

"Keeper of the broom cupboard"

[@venusdoom90]

I hold Yohji Yamamoto in a very high regard but I have to disagree with him on what he said in regards to designing for men. I make clothes myself and I pretty much only do menswear (apart from dresses for my sisters and/or my female friends. I think men's bodies have been neglected throughout centuries but this has been more noticeable recently. It is very prominent it terms of 'body positivity' and how it's executed; female body is socially considered more beautiful regardless of it's shape, volume, proportions but men to be considered beautiful have to tick so many more boxes. from height to body frame, weight, how they carry themselves, if they're awkward, they constantly have to put this masculine demeanour and never show any weakness cos if they do they are not seen as valuable anymore, like a disposable commodity. How many times have we seen plus size men on the catwalks comparing to women? - and it does not stop there... I completely agree on what Yohji said about women's bodies and how much of a variety you have in terms of creating things, when it comes to male bodies I think it's more about highlighting.

[@bca-2257]

Yeah I was surprised when he said that. It's like his mind couldn't break free of the box of 'shirt, jacket, pants', which I'd expect from someone lauded to be a legendary designer. Ultimately men's bodies aren't that dramatically different from women's bodies in my eyes, It's the societal gender conditioning that has us believe there's a massive chasm. And it appears Yamamoto has succumbed to this. No one is perfect, not even legendary designers (whose reputations sometimes precede them). Another designer will come along and carry the torch forward for menswear, since it won't be Yamamoto.

[@strawberrys610]

@@bca-2257 Yohji did already design skirts, dresses and almost everything else that is not stereotypically gender conform for men...

[@applejuice7648]

*continues to make men’s clothing* I love him 😂

[@dmytro1933]

Настоящий человек и вероятно, последний мастер подлинной моды. Долгих ему лет здравия и сил!

[@ihavenoclue666]

i come back to this video every few months

[@john-sy1bw]

It’s hard to design men’s clothes because men don’t try to find clothes. They try to find money to pay bills and clothes are secondary to money. How would a construction worker find use in a wool trench? Most Japanese men don’t even deal with fashion unless they are a young man. Men have been so archetyped. Men’s fashion should be function. Because what a man goes through in his mind is pure insecurity. You have to make him feel like part of the tribe. And major diversion from the norm is not good.

[@machack9947]

What a conservative way of looking at mens fashion so brute and rigid sad

[@SC4RArt]

Amazing thanks for sharing! Wonderful art! Stay safe! 🤩🤩🤩

[@ariffinhr8426]

This guy has a lot of good wisdom in the fashion industry and his english is quite good. Great content.

[@gleb_trsv]

Он даже курит красиво!

[@풍뎅이-h5b]

Every sentence he formulates is gold.

[@divinenonbinary]

unexpectedly (for some reason haha) patriarchal approach. wow. Such great lesson in worship. Just another human.

[@jakeniemiec8559]

I was just examining my button up shirts and I realized they are all the same design. Maybe a different material but all my shorts are basically the same.

[@writtenbyn7529]

Thank you for nice video! It is really interesting to listen from Yohji Amamoto.

[@MTMF.london]

*Yamamoto.

[@MrAllywood79]

With a bit of imagination men clothing can be limitless

[@michaelofparadise]

i love yohji

[@danbowman9294]

I have admired Yamamoto's work since the 80s, but I'm afraid he's being a bit disingenuous in his statements about money and materialism. His clothes are outrageously expensive, a men's coat can cost up to $6000 US. His clients are generally trust-fund brats living off the labor of the underpaid masses. And his definition of a "small profit" could mean just about anything. All those skilled craftsman under his direction aren't working for free. I love his collections, but I am disappointed when designers try to come across as elevated spiritual types. Not flattering.

[@danbowman9294]

@@verreal I guess I prefer the honesty of blatantly materialistic creators like Karl (RIP).

[@wryckingbaul8612]

I get he's an important designer but I think his view of men's fashion is reductive. He could be just as creative with men's clothes but he just chooses not to because he sees men as just one way. And I think his Japanese background also informs the way he views men and men's attire. It's like he's never seen the work of any other male fashion designer! But go off, Yohji.😅

[@Whysoserious648]

Fr hes limiting himself

[@tafm4426]

Im just binging all his interviews !

[@ohsuyaguk1578]

ヨウジヤマモト大好き倶楽部の方はコメントされないのかしら笑

[@닉미오치치]

🤔

[@Silvia-tg9qq]

I like him so much. I like his clothes and his piont of view.

[@melsmith110]

Inspiring and wise!

[@gizemyldz2048]

I feel sooo peaceful. Thank you and GBU💛

[@angel.test.001]

Las bellas cosas de la vida desaparecen cada día...

[@bigben1986]

An icon.much love to this awesome designer Yohji Yamamoto.

[@fantagun]

It never sounds arrogant. You deserve to say this

[@komailmah4943]

Him viewing men's clothing options as limited just shows his lack of romanticism for men and that's all. His clothes for women also sometimes are not necessarily practical, which again shows how she feels for women and not much for men (as a designer, maybe it's right to acknowledge both worlds at least). Also lately I've been hearing quotes like "I believe in craftsmanship" "human hands" etc. a lot. I don't think it's right. It's not a thing. You can always wrap up a wrong thought in beautiful wrappings and sell it as fact and value but even like that the outside has been wearing off for some time. Accessibility, the human mind, and the use of innovation and technology should come before hand-making clothes! It is brainless and it is privileged and it is deaf.

[@jayciii29]

very rare interview with a very rare human being.

[@AlianaRegos]

Like a snowflake in a winter sky.. Floating, Mystical. Beautiful. ありがとうございました

[@sutats]

Also worth watching Issey Miyake.

[@ethanmiller631]

george harrison but japanese ⁉️

[@michaelpark5764]

"For me comfortable profit is enough to keep on going." WOW..

[@mantronixtube]

MASTER

[@whofarted2903]

Please Bring back The 1800s Fashion & 1920s up u til the 60s ❤️

[@lynnblack6493]

Love his definition of success. Fame. Who needs a private jet! Warren Buffett?

[@ledovejpatek8803]

Are you talking trash about my man Warren?

[@mymocs61]

Humble and entranced by his craft

[@luc7937]

I think sub was wrong. He said 'creating clothing' but on sub - creating growing- Check again please. Btw thx for great interview

[@najeefilms]

Beautifully said, very insightful words.

[@artfulseoul]

Preserve the beauty by appreciation in focus and see property as a momentum that is outplayed by the even more satisfying moment of creating something beautiful. Could be my sum of this interview. AK

[@raymondpeter7524]

I think this is why Asian people are successful because they are comfortable with what they CAN get.

[@bananayogurt8002]

"Don't go too fast, look back" 🖤😔

[@morkygorky]

Comfortable profit sounds nice - His prices are not so comfortable though :-P

[@jludwig5374]

The only reason lots of these brands aren't "famous" in America is because Americans are always late to fashion trends

[@derekang9339]

my first ever Shirt from Y3 collaborate with Adidas and the Y3 Cap is Sense of Men On Going Cap.

[@thesixthpath1621]

i love his hair

[@rrrrround]

УП - удобная прибыль 👐 вот это максимально грамотно 👍

[@marcizzz]

Goat!

[@jonathancarmel9312]

What a legend

[@wallstreettjournal]

What is gorgeous for you? Time that we cannot chase.

[@Greystorm1619]

I’m just soaking up all the wisdom from this

[@bruvablake1056]

🙌🏾💎

[@cuilinchen634]

a true poet

[@sft8693]

❤❤❤

[@broddablack5290]

Fabulous guy! Love his outlook on life

[@Guccey]

5:45 Oddly unsettling moment revealing his true nature.

[@Mo-zx5bx]

Goat

[@Hud.Alexdavenston]

Men's fashion is limited only at a heart of a limited man, Mr yamamoto

[@ayylmao8562]

2:46 Lmao ouch, y’all just got roasted

[@kevinlenyatsa3648]

I wish he could've spoken more about y3

[@njeffrey2321]

That’s why he just signed on all men design and call it a day.

[@altar7885]

1:21 Isn't he saying "culture" rather than "courage here"?

[@samuelel1355]

I always respect you yohji

[@harryanggie]

comfortable profit is enough to keep going. THIS!