Yohji Yamamoto’s work is characterised by a deep interest in textiles: their ability to ’embody’ a garment, their ability to lend strength to a fragile frame, their ability to allow the shape of the wearer to be imprinted on them, their ability to age gracefully. All these qualities that contribute to key aspects of Yohji Yamamoto’s oeuvre are made possible by the precise engineering of every fabric he uses. From deciding the exact balance between the warp and the weft of the fabric and dyeing it the ideal hue to establishing the number of washings required to achieve the perfect balance between new and old, every fabric Yamamoto uses is specially created and made in Japan. “…with this shirt and jacket, it was different. From the beginning they were new and old at the same time.” Wim Wenders
