“In my opinion, my father was not only the eclectic and energetic soul the world knew, but someone who was also considerate, kind and caring,” he wrote.
According to a statement released by the designer’s eponymous company, Yamamoto died last Tuesday after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia. His funeral has already taken place, although a “public farewell” may be held at a later date.
Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto (right) and model Sayoko Yamaguchi (left) in Tokyo in November 1982. Credit: Kyodo News via Getty Images
Supermodel Iman walks a New York runway for Yamamoto in 1981. Credit: Rose Hartman / WireImage
“While fighting his illness, he always remained positive, never losing his passion for creation,” the company statement said.
Born in 1944, Yamamoto studied civil engineering before turning his attention to fashion. In the early 1970s he had become the first Japanese designer to host a show in London, an opportunity that earned him international recognition for his theatrical creations.
It was during this time that he established friendships with some of the most important musicians of the decade, including Elton John and Stevie Wonder. His growing profile in London also caught the attention of the late singer David Bowie, with whom he formed a long-standing creative association.
“Fortunately, David had a very slim body and they fit very well, with no accessories,” recalled the designer.
Bowie Collaboration
Yamamoto produced various stage costumes for Bowie, from androgynous jumpsuits and overalls, to capes and wide-bottom pants. He designed costumes for the singer’s 1973 “Aladdin Sane” tour, which accompanied the iconic album of the same name, helping to bring Bowie’s diverse people to life, including Ziggy Stardust.
“Some kind of chemical reaction took place: my clothes became part of David, his songs and his music,” Yamamoto said in the 2016 interview. “They became part of the message he conveyed to the world.”
David Bowie acting as Ziggy Stardust, in his “Forest Creatures” costume designed by Kansai Yamamoto, at Hammersmith Odeon, 1973. Credit: Debi Doss / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
A costume created by Yamamoto for David Bowie is shown during the press preview of the “David Bowie is” exhibition at Warehouse Terrada on January 5, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. Credit: Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
While he is known for his dramatic designs, he also explored traditional Japanese clothing and crafts. After its heyday of the 1970s and 1980s, it continued to offer new contemporary versions of the kimono, and throughout his career, he adopted the Japanese concept of “based”, creating incredibly bold and daring designs that nullified any suggestion of minimalism. Louis Vuitton enlisted him to create a series of looks for the brand’s 2018 resort collection, featuring kabuki-inspired motifs against glitter and sequins.
“We deeply regret that Kansai cannot accompany us on the day,” said his statement, “but we would like to convey your passion and dream in the best possible way.”
Yoko Wakatsuki and Junko Ogura of CNN contributed to this report.
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