Thursday 24 March 2011

Yohji yo!

Last Monday I bus hopped it to the V&A to check out their new Yohji Yamamoto exhibition. Yamamoto is a Japanese fashion designer who became famous in the eighties after creating innovative designs by using unusual pattern cutting techniques and channelling his personality. The retrospective showcases many of his womenswear and menswear designs from over the last few decades. His clothes, whilst unusual and striking are beautiful, intricately made and inspiring. Many of the designs would only seem at place in a fantasy land and his use of bold colours in a sea of black is exciting. Of course photography is prohibited as it always is in the best exhibitions but there are plenty of satellite displays across the museum's six floors where you can take photos. You have to pay around a fiver to see the 'main' exhibition so these satellite displays are perfect for the cash strapped. It took me a while to find the few on the upper floors but the trek was worth it because the clothes are heavenly.

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What I love most about the clothes is the attention to detail whether is be in the form of luxury pleats, big pockets, angular collars or textile knits. The clothes inside the main room were incredible and I really wish I could have taken photos to show you. Susie has some over on her blog so I advise you to go take a look. There is a beautiful yellow dress, green coat, revolving dress, caged corset and a white silk dress with visible stitching to name but a few. Videos around the room showcase his previous collections and the walls are full of sketches, it really is a fantastically interesting exhibition.

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I bought his biography 'My Dear Bomb' which I've been reading snippets from and finding extremely interesting. I took this image from Susie because no matter how hard I tried to photography my own book I couldn't get it right.

There are a few other Yohji exhibitions happening over London including Yohji's Women at the Wapping Project Bankside which I might check out on Friday. The only downside to this exhibition is the sheer volume of fluorescent light used in the main room. I seriously wanted to put on a pair of sunglasses it was so bright!

Have any of you been yet x

12 comments:

  1. I really want to pop along to this!
    x

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  2. I am planning to go next weekend! So, is there more of his work around the V&A, other than the main exhibition? Glad you had a fab time, lovely post! K xo

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  3. Looks fab. I'm hoping to go and see this the weekend.

    X x

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  4. Aww, I really want to go and see this! My mum told me about it the other day, and I really fancy going. I can't wait to go now!

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  5. I just didn't have time to see more than a couple of bits but I really wish I had :(

    I knew I didn't have time to do the proper exhibition justice so the only bits I saw were the suits in the sculpture gallery, the two white felt dresses and the lovely black and white stuff on the staircase landing.

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  6. like it a lot! your blog is so cool!

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  7. Looks wonderful! I love all the shapes and patterns on the clothes.

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  8. I'm now following your blog
    come follow mine
    thanks for your comment
    regards

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  9. Ooo, I wouldn't mind seeing this!
    Btw, I tagged you in my latest post if you'd like to take a peek :)
    x

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  10. I can't wait to pop along to see this at some point. Yamamoto is a genius and I can't wait! His bio must be awesome...definitely something I'd want to spend my pennies on. Better get saving now eh?

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  11. I only had time for the main display, but what I saw was wonderful. Did you see the gorgeous green neoprene dress? I think that was my favourite, just because the material was so unusual but the effect was incredibly dramatic. Now I have to go back and see the sattelite installations! x

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  12. awesome pictures.
    really love exhibitions and these are amazing.
    www.jaymieocallaghan.com
    xx

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