One of the most renowned fashion designers of our time joins us for an exclusive talk

Best known for era-defining designs for David Bowie on the 1972 Ziggy Stardust and 1973 Aladdin Sane tours, Kansai Yamamoto’s collections developed a following among the most iconic names in pop culture.

The seminal designer will discuss his notable career, his motto of ‘more is more’, and the concept of costumes as a medium for liberated expression of identity. Yamamoto will reveal the inspirations behind his design philosophy and how he draws on the art history of Japan to produce his elaborate creations.

Rejecting the visual stereotype of Japanese minimalism (wabi-sabi), and embracing the aesthetics of basara, a love of colour and stylish extravagance, Yamamoto’s avant-garde, theatrically decorative and abstract designs are instantly recognisable for their recurring features such as Asiatic prints and sculptural forms. His influence continues to inspire today’s most cutting edge designers and leading fashion houses, from Nicholas Ghesquiere to Gucci and Valentino.

(Image © Masayoshi Sukita)