Traditional Japanese craft is mixed with western fashion fun in Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum at South Kensington this Spring.
Yamamoto is one of the most influential designers within the fashion world to date. Using his Japanese background in his choice of craftsmanship, colour and shapes he has continually challenged the way that fashion is viewed.
Over 60 outfits are included in the instillation highlighting the menswear clothing for the first time. You can wander around the stark setting absorbing the richness in his creations whilst avoiding temptation to touch the teasingly tactile clothing.
Black evening wear dominates the exhibition with splashes of colour seen rarely but given extra emphasis; the yellow strapless silk dress with matching hat takes centre stage in womens wear along with the most innovative black evening dress with its integrated sequinned purse in the back of the gown. Menswear challenges gender identity with man skirts and tartan oversized scarf – wraps which even Vivienne Westwood would be proud of.
Mannequins are adorned with the garments and scattered throughout a stark set built with scaffolding and neon set lights with catwalk shows projected onto the walls surrounding. With over 10 parades throughout Yamamoto’s career playing and all the films, books and cd’s he has collaborated with on display you can spend hours delving into Yamamoto’s life and aesthetic senses.
The exhibition is continued throughout the museum in a treasure hunt style, using a map you find the hidden mannequins scattered around different rooms and levels within the museum. The secret garments are worth the search as the rooms in which Yamamoto’s art are set is a perfect background to what is on show.
Yamamoto’s career from fashion to film is celebrated through a fashion cultural melting pot, highlighting one of the best from the east and his significant influence on the west.
By Briellen Smith
Yohji Yamamoto
12 March – 10 July 2011
Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington (South Kensington Tube)
Ticket Prices - £7 full, £5 full time students and 12-17 year olds.
Information – www.vam.ac.uk
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