Yohji Yamamoto has strong opinions about fashion and his work as a designer, and he's candid about it all. No surprise things got quite interesting when he sat down for an interview with i-D magazine's founder Terry Jones and British architect Asif Khan. Yamamoto discussed everything from developing his personal taste, why he hates fashion, and whether he prefers women dressed or undressed. Read a few excerpts below.
On how he developed his personal taste:
“I’m a big victim of women. I have been controlled by femme fatales for more than 60 years. And even now.”
On the difference between taste and fashion:
“I hate fashion. Or the word fashion, which sounds colorful, extravagant, expensive and gorgeous.…I never wanted to walk the main street of fashion. I have been walking the sidewalks of fashion from the beginning, so I’m a bit dark.”
On explaining his style:
“I have no style as Mr. Yohji Yamamoto. I’m working each season against something, always antisomething though I can’t remember it all. Mainly I design clothing as an antitrend, antifashion [so] naturally I’m spending my life in a big paradox….I don’t really trust my point of view always, and sometimes rebel against myself too. I only like it when my work surprises myself. I don’t feel my work has a style. It’s more about the approach I take. It has to make me happy somehow, even though it makes me sad a lot.”
On whether women are better clothed or unclothed:
“Better clothed. As much as possible!”
[via WWD]
