Luigi Tadini Reports: The Y-3 Show

Nothing like a good Yohji Yamamoto show to ease me into the hectic schedule of the week. In a construction site of what used to be the Barnes & Nobles on Sixth Avenue, the Japanese designer amused his audience with a comprehensive and playful collection that transformed, or perhaps evolved, sportswear into a detailed and incredibly chic post-modern commentary. If only I could be as hip as the Japanese!

I left uptown to head to the show with my friend Amanda Hearst (clad in a beautiful nude Lanvin number). As usual for this time of year, we got stuck in midtown traffic for a good 20 minutes. But we did arrive on time; well, by on time I mean the show was fortunately running late making us seem very punctual. As we arrived we were greeted by Nadine Johnson’s always efficient and lovely troupe. They escorted us to a little lounge backstage, the perfect opportunity to have a little bubbly and catch up with some friends before heading to our seats.

As we entered the showroom we were surprised that there was no rain or ice of the spectacles of years past. This year the U-shaped runway, featuring blue hardwood floors, was surrounded by simple yet beautiful brushed metal benches and surrounded by hanging neon lights straight from a Dan Flavin exhibit. The raw setting was just an appropriate prelude to what was to come.

Y-3, Yohji Yamamoto’s collaboration with Adidas debuted in 2003 and it is no surprise it has been garnering attention and fans for the past five years. The reasoning behind such a following is Yamamoto’s fearless exploration of proportion, gender and silhouette. This collection was no different. A monochromatic palette with bursts of icy blues, fiery oranges and dark reds. A delicate nod to Asian influences with A-line knee length shirts and ethereal robes for men and a hint of tailoring with elegant V-line cropped vests for women. The asymmetry of the pieces made them transcend the sportswear category into something extremely valuable and fresh. Perhaps a new and necessary niche! The play on the Adidas stripes where a constant and interesting aspect of the show. Acrylic bangles and an incredible, to die for, pair of Oxford sneaks for the ladies topped the show and put a smile on my face.

Others enjoying the elegant playfulness of Yamamoto’s collection were the beautiful Grey’s Anatomy ingenue Ellen Pompeo, my friend and fashion darling Genevieve Jones, reggae artist Sean Paul and hip filmmaker Vincent Gallo.

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