
Kansai Yamamoto, Designer and David Bowie's Go-To Costumer, Dies at 76
by Aaron Royce
Jul 27, 2020
Trailblazing Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto, 76, passed away today after a months-long battle with leukemia.
Yamamoto's designs have been some of the most conceptual among his generation, experimenting with structural shapes, geometry and vibrant colors to propose new ideas about wearable art.
When he debuted his first collection in 1971, Yamamoto became the first Japanese designer to show at London Fashion Week. He quickly made a name for himself by combining elements of traditional Japanese culture with modern pop art motifs. Yamamoto's design signatures, such as bold shoulders and graphic patterns, have also provided inspiration for designers like Rick Owens. More recently, he collaborated with Louis Vuitton for their Kabuki-inspired Cruise 2018 show.
Yamamoto is also remembered for his forward-thinking "super shows" that made fashion events more accessible to everyone. Held in the '90s, these shows merged dance, music and fashion in a variety of international locations, drawing upwards of 120,000 people. A "super-energy" show scheduled for July 31 will continue as planned, according to his team, per BCC News.
But he's perhaps best known for his long partnership with David Bowie, having created many of the late rock star's Ziggy Stardust-era looks, such as Bowie's iconic black-and-white striped bodysuit and one-legged, one-shoulder printed leotard. He also collaborated with Lady Gaga, dressing her in his "Fashion in Motion" collection during her ARTPOP era and for her 2016 Bowie tribute at the Grammy Awards.
Fashion creatives like Marc Jacobs, Anna Dello Russo and Anna Sui paid tribute to Yamamoto on social media this morning. Jacobs, in particular, shared how Yamamoto let him curate an afterparty while studying at Parsons.
Yamamoto is survived by his daughter, Mirai.
Photo via Getty
From Your Site Articles
- The Shoulders at Rick Owens' Fall 2020 Men's Were Monstrous ... ›
- The Most Revealing Personal Objects From the David Bowie ... ›
- David Bowie's Style: Why His Look Was More Than Fashion - PAPER ›
Related Articles Around the Web
MORE ON PAPER
Music
Yungblud Reclaims Rock Stardom
Story by Georgia Evans / Photography by Ellen von Unwerth / Styling by Mike Adler / Grooming by Luca Tullio / Set design by Caylah Jean
Story by Georgia Evans / Photography by Ellen von Unwerth / Styling by Mike Adler / Grooming by Luca Tullio / Set design by Caylah Jean
02 July
Music
Reneé Rapp Trusts Herself
Story by Erica Campbell / Photography by Yasmine Diba / Styling by Valeria Semushina / Makeup by Loren Canby / Hair by Marissa Marino / Nails by Anna Wesolowska / Set design by Kelly Infield
Story by Erica Campbell / Photography by Yasmine Diba / Styling by Valeria Semushina / Makeup by Loren Canby / Hair by Marissa Marino / Nails by Anna Wesolowska / Set design by Kelly Infield
26 June
Film/TV
'Overcompensating' Hits Where It Heals
Story by Joan Summers / Photography by Kenyon Anderson / Styling by Marissa Pelly / Set design by Liz Mydlowski / Makeup by Rommy Najor, Mollie Gloss / Hair by Akihisa Yamaguchi, Sergio Estrada / Grooming by Kennedy Trisler
Story by Joan Summers / Photography by Kenyon Anderson / Styling by Marissa Pelly / Set design by Liz Mydlowski / Makeup by Rommy Najor, Mollie Gloss / Hair by Akihisa Yamaguchi, Sergio Estrada / Grooming by Kennedy Trisler
05 June
Entertainment
The 2025 Tonys: 'Give It Everything Or Die Trying'
Story by Michael Musto / Photography by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders / Jewelry by Alexis Bittar
Story by Michael Musto / Photography by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders / Jewelry by Alexis Bittar
05 June
Film/TV
Coolest Person in the Room: Stephanie Suganami
Story by Andrew Nguyen / Photography by Diego Villagra Motta / Styling by Angelina Cantú / Hair by Stefano Greco / Makeup by STOJ
Story by Andrew Nguyen / Photography by Diego Villagra Motta / Styling by Angelina Cantú / Hair by Stefano Greco / Makeup by STOJ
30 May