With the title “3 Stripes in Motion,” the Y-3 Spring/Summer 2016 continues Yohji Yamamoto’s pursuit to define and dress the human body in motion. Co-incidentally and not surprising at all, that quest coincides with adidas goal.
Hence for Spring/Summer 2016, Y-3 delivers a bold, iconic collection that explores a kinetic grace with sheer, fluid, ultra-light pieces designed to move – the 3 Stripes in Motion.
Presented during Paris Men’s Fashion Week at the Lycée Carnot on Sunday, June 28, 2015, the collection signifies a return to the graphic simplicity of both Yamamoto’s work and adidas’ three-stripe motif.
The collection originated in a series of sketches that Yamamoto imagined with rapid-fire creativity. The drawings yield the clothing itself, but also serve as decoration when printed as artwork across a range of apparel from tanks to T-shirts.
Further inspired, Yamamoto created four self-portraits of himself in motion that are also used as graphic treatment. For the designer, the topic of movement is most clearly encapsulated in a series of stunning ponchos in three distinct silhouettes, two of which are emblazoned with his sketches.
The poncho is undoubtedly the star of the collection, arriving in 3 distinct styles. The first in a classic black, ultra-light, rain-proof nylon with custom white Yamamoto artwork, the second in a light air mesh fabric featuring a voluminous silhouette that can be converted and customized; and the third a bonded, two-layer poncho.
Elsewhere in the collection, Yamamoto’s iconic inspiration is seen in men’s and women’s apparel bearing four characteristics: fluidity, color, print, and light. The range shows simplicity of form with easy, fluid, ergonomic lines—breezy sportswear designed to ride the wind. Bright pops of electric blue for men and candy red for women enhance a classic Y-3 color palette of black and white.
Abstract prints create a study in motion, emphasizing the elegant fluidity of the clothes. And Y-3 continues its forward strides in ultra-light design with air meshes and delicate jerseys that conjure a sense of easy elegance and couture comfort. Light also served as a literal inspiration for a pack of clothes printed with Yamamoto’s signature quotes spelled out in neon light.
Commenting on the collection and its theme, Yohji Yamamoto said, “It’s time to move. This is life’s only constant and I was enchanted by the beauty and simplicity of the body in motion. This was my only inspiration.”
Photos courtesy of Y-3