Hundreds of sketches discovered in a Tokyo warehouse have been brought to the world in a single volume. The previously unreleased drawing book 『Yohji Yamamoto Drawings』 captures 18 years of the designer's creative trajectory, spanning from his Paris collection debut in 1981 to 1999. Featuring original sketches personally selected by the designer himself, the book also brings together the vision of renowned graphic designer Peter Saville, who oversaw its design to visually recreate Yohji Yamamoto's unmistakably avant-garde spirit. The forms and lines that began at the fingertips of a master who left an indelible mark on fashion history remain vividly alive.
The drawings revealed in the slides illustrate how Yohji Yamamoto developed silhouettes and details. Early sketches establish the skeleton of the silhouette with quick brushstrokes in black and grey tones, then evolve as decorative elements, checks, and patterns are added. One sheet displays multiple male silhouettes arranged side by side, allowing the flow of an entire collection to be grasped at a glance. Every detail was drawn by hand: hats perched like birds atop faces, oversized jackets draped like capes, and subtle variations in trouser silhouettes.
When Yohji Yamamoto first stepped onto the Paris stage in 1981, he disrupted Western fashion conventions with black, asymmetry, and deconstructivism. Instead of the body-hugging silhouettes and vibrant colors that dominated at the time, he wrapped the body in loose black fabric, leaving room for negative space. This book traces how he experimented with form on fabric, what lines and proportions he used to create a new kind of beauty, starting from the sketch stage. Deconstructivism is a design movement that disassembles and reassembles the structure of existing garments, and Yohji Yamamoto is one of its leading figures.
The enduring passion of an artist who has continuously pushed the boundaries of fashion is condensed in this single volume. Do you believe that the starting point of creation begins on a single page of a sketchbook?
The drawings revealed in the slides illustrate how Yohji Yamamoto developed silhouettes and details. Early sketches establish the skeleton of the silhouette with quick brushstrokes in black and grey tones, then evolve as decorative elements, checks, and patterns are added. One sheet displays multiple male silhouettes arranged side by side, allowing the flow of an entire collection to be grasped at a glance. Every detail was drawn by hand: hats perched like birds atop faces, oversized jackets draped like capes, and subtle variations in trouser silhouettes.
When Yohji Yamamoto first stepped onto the Paris stage in 1981, he disrupted Western fashion conventions with black, asymmetry, and deconstructivism. Instead of the body-hugging silhouettes and vibrant colors that dominated at the time, he wrapped the body in loose black fabric, leaving room for negative space. This book traces how he experimented with form on fabric, what lines and proportions he used to create a new kind of beauty, starting from the sketch stage. Deconstructivism is a design movement that disassembles and reassembles the structure of existing garments, and Yohji Yamamoto is one of its leading figures.
The enduring passion of an artist who has continuously pushed the boundaries of fashion is condensed in this single volume. Do you believe that the starting point of creation begins on a single page of a sketchbook?
FAQ
What period does the Yohji Yamamoto drawing book cover?
It spans eighteen years of creative work, from his 1981 Paris debut through 1999. Hundreds of original sketches discovered in a Tokyo warehouse were personally selected by the designer for inclusion.
Who designed the Yohji Yamamoto drawing book?
Renowned graphic designer Peter Saville handled the book design, visually interpreting Yohji Yamamoto's distinctive avant-garde worldview.
Why is Yohji Yamamoto important in fashion history?
His 1981 Paris show upended Western fashion codes with black, asymmetry, and deconstruction. He replaced the prevailing body-conscious silhouette with loose black fabric that wrapped the body and left space, becoming a leading figure in deconstructivist design.
