Internationally renowned Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto passed away on July 21 at the age of 76. His death was announced on social media by his daughter, actress Mirai Yamamoto, via her Instagram. The designer was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in February this year and he was hospitalised since then.
After winning a prestigious Soen Award in 1967, the Yokohama native became the first Japanese designer to hold a fashion show in London. Yamamoto’s London debut collection featured an iconic collection inspired by the drama and visual elements of kabuki theatre. Since then, his avant-garde designs have made a lasting impression on the fashion industry and gained him many celebrity fans, too.
View this post on Instagram
Yamamoto was widely acclaimed for his boundary-pushing, contemporary collections that often take inspiration from Japanese culture and traditions, but interpreted in a fresh, new way that resonated with the world.
View this post on Instagram
One of his most notable works (pictured above) was dressing David Bowie for the musician’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. Other A-listers who have worn Yamamoto’s designs include John Lennon, Stevie Wonder and Elton John.
Aside from fashion, Yamamoto was also a prominent figure in event production, especially for the stage series ‘Kansai Super Show’, which has toured all over the globe. In 1993, Yamamoto also hosted an event known as ‘Hello Russia’ in Moscow’s Red Square, as well as producing the opening of the 2005 Expo in Aichi prefecture.
More news
Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck is making its way to Osaka this August
This drive-in cinema in Chiba will feature a fireworks finale
A Bauhaus exhibition and film festival are coming to Tokyo this summer
Ikea is releasing its first-ever apparel line in Harajuku
Five things to do at the 2020 Yokohama Triennale – in person or online