Summary:
- Thames and Hudson publishes Yohji Yamamoto Drawings in November 2026 for €105.
- Curator Alexandre Samson wrote the 310 page book with design work by Peter Saville.
- You get 183 original illustrations selected directly by the Japanese designer.
You gain direct access to the creative process of Yohji Yamamoto this autumn. Publisher Thames and Hudson prints a new title named Yohji Yamamoto Drawings on November 17 2026. This 310 page hardcover volume costs €105. You find 183 original fashion illustrations inside. Yamamoto selected each image personally from his archives.
Alexandre Samson authored the book. Samson works as a fashion historian and curator at Palais Galliera in Paris. He curated major retrospectives for designers Martin Margiela and Rick Owens. Graphic designer Peter Saville provided layout direction for the release. The project brings together key figures from contemporary art, fashion exhibition, and graphic design. These pages show both menswear and womenswear concepts. Yamamoto drew these artworks on diverse surfaces, including scrap paper and newsprint.
To understand these pages, you should examine the designer background. Yamamoto was born in Tokyo in 1943. He completed a degree in law before choosing a path in fashion. He joined his mother in her dressmaking shop to learn garment creation. Yamamoto presented his first signature collection in Tokyo in 1977. He then expanded to Europe, opening a Paris boutique in 1981.
His early European shows challenged established fashion norms. Working alongside Comme des Garcons designer Rei Kawakubo, Yamamoto introduced dark color palettes, loose fits, and asymmetrical cuts. His work rejected fitted tailoring and bright colors typical of eighties fashion. Instead, Yamamoto focused on raw edges, fluid draping, and open spaces between fabric and body. His approach changed global garment construction permanently.
Yamamoto extended his work past fashion runways. He created wardrobes for cinema productions, including Takeshi Kitano film Brother and Wim Wenders film Until the End of the World. In 2003, Yamamoto formed the Y-3 sub-label with sportswear brand Adidas. This collaboration mixed luxury tailoring with sport gear, setting early standards for contemporary streetwear partnerships.
This book collects sketches of flowing coats, heavy outerwear, and draped dresses. You see direct lines, quick ink marks, and raw hand drawings. Yamamoto uses these sketches to plan silhouettes before pattern cutting begins. The volume treats these images as standalone art objects rather than simple preparation tools.
You pre-order Yohji Yamamoto Drawings now through major booksellers and online stores. The publication offers clear value for readers interested in fashion history, art archives, and graphic design.
Kristin Kaye
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.
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