Legendary Japanese designer known for his exuberant, avant-garde creations and his iconic, gender-defying work with David Bowie.
ORIGIN
Japan
PRICE TIER
luxury
Kansai Yamamoto was a pioneering Japanese fashion designer who burst onto the London scene in 1971, becoming the first Japanese designer to stage a show there. Born in Yokohama, Yamamoto’s work was a direct contradiction to the minimalist wabi-sabi aesthetic often associated with Japan; instead, he embraced 'Basara,' a principle of flamboyant excess and extravagance. This approach translated into sculptural, brightly colored garments that wrapped and enveloped the body, drawing inspiration from Kabuki theater and traditional Japanese motifs. His designs quickly captured the zeitgeist, leading to a historic collaboration with David Bowie. Yamamoto created many of the most iconic, androgynous stage costumes for Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane tours, including the 'Tokyo Pop' vinyl bodysuit, cementing a cultural legacy for them both.