Profile

Just as Yohji Yamamoto's starkly elegant clothing blurs the distinction between fashion and sculpture, so does his large, white NYC boutique blur the distinction between art gallery and store. Taking as his key design elements asymmetry and wrinkles, rips and tears, de- and reconstruction, visible seams and exposed selvages, Yamamoto creates apparel that is more high fashion than low rent, more chic than cheap. The minimalist aesthetic and largely black palette may seem simple, but the devil is in the details. The store carries the brand's men's and women's collection: Yohji Yamamoto, the most formal and high-end line, consists of tailored suits and fitted shirts for men and gauzy, diaphanous dresses, skirts, and tops for women, as well as beautifully constructed t-shirts and sweaters. The slightly more reasonably priced Y's has a more informal feel than the eponymous line, though the aesthetic remains the same. The clothes are sized 1, 2, and 3 for women (which corresponds to a 4, 6, and 8) and 2, 3, 4, and 6 (in pants) for men, with a 2 being about a 32" waist. — Andrew Sessa

In January and mid July, clothes from the concluding season receive a 40% markdown.

Key Departments

Yamamoto doesn’t carry tuxedos, but hip grooms go for his no-frills gabardine suits (from $2,000). The shop also stocks Italian-made, narrow-cut suits (from $2,000). Alterations not included.