The Yohji Yamamoto Full Address and Q&A at the Oxford Union, held on March 5th, 2018, offered a rare glimpse into the mind of a designer whose mystique often mirrors the enigmatic nature of his garments. Known for his avant-garde designs and refusal to adhere to the commercial pressures of the fashion industry, Yamamoto approached the platform of the Oxford Union with the same quiet intensity that defines his work.
During his talk, Yamamoto reflected on his beginnings, growing up in post-war Japan and the influence his mother, a dressmaker, had on his eventual path into fashion. He spoke of fashion as a kind of armor—both in a literal and metaphorical sense—something that protects and empowers the wearer. His words were marked by a philosophical undertone, revealing how much deeper his relationship with clothing is than what meets the eye. For Yamamoto, fashion isn’t about trends or seasons, but about creating something enduring, even defiant, in a world consumed by instant gratification.
The Q&A session that followed was a candid exchange, where Yamamoto touched on everything from the importance of failure to the influence of Japanese culture on his work. What stood out most was his humility. Despite his status as a global fashion icon, he seemed uninterested in the glamour or accolades, focusing instead on the integrity of his craft. His answers were concise, yet profound, revealing an artist who views fashion not as an escape but as a deeply personal form of expression. In an industry often characterized by excess and superficiality, Yamamoto’s presence at the Oxford Union felt like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that fashion can be an intellectual pursuit as much as it is an aesthetic one.
