The Yohji Yamamoto Problem

Summary by Krater

The fashion critic Bliss Foster examines why Yohji Yamamoto's runway shows are exceptionally difficult to interpret narratively, comparing his methodology to literary theory and the Japanese cultural concept of ma.

From the video

Answers: Why are Yohji Yamamoto's runway shows so difficult to interpret and how do you find meaning in them?

• Yohji Yamamoto runway show analysis
• Interpretation of fashion and clothing
• Japanese cultural concept of ma in art
• Narrative and storytelling in fashion
• Comparison with Raf Simons Autumn-Winter 2018 show

What it concludes

• Yohji Yamamoto's runway shows possess a high degree of visual cohesion across different seasons, making it difficult to isolate individual looks.
• Unlike designers who rely on explicit show notes, graphics, or cultural references, Yohji Yamamoto's shows provide few textual clues for interpretation.
• The Japanese cultural concept of ma, meaning emptiness or space, offers a useful framework for interpreting negative space and ambiguity in Yohji Yamamoto's work.