Y's WITH PHOTOGRAPHER MAX VADUKUL
Y's Omotesando, Tokyo | Friday, April 5, 2024 – End date TBD
The photographs captured by Max Vadukul in Paris, titled "Letting the clothes invade the city," establish the strength and vibrant dynamism of Y's through visual imagery. They portray extraordinary and powerful images of everyday life on the streets.
The Y's 2024 Spring/Summer collection was photographed by Max Vadukul at Le Pont de Bir-Hakeim in Paris. The photos were displayed in Tokyo on April 5th.
A cocktail reception was held in an intimate atmosphere to welcome Vadukul, who was visiting Japan, and was attended by various guests who have close ties with Y's or have been involved in its creations, celebrating the installation.
The Guests: Guests surrounding Mr. Vadukul
Ayaka Miyoshi, Max Vadukul
Max Vadukul and Shishido Kavka
Max Vadukul, Yuki Matsuda
Max Vadukul, Nozomi Bando
Max Vadukul and Yumemi Ishida
Rina Onuki, Max Vadukul, Rii Tachibana
Yutaro, Max Vadukul
Max Vadukul and Hinami Mori
The documentary──
The Installation: Exhibition Structure
Vadukul's vivid monochrome photographs, capturing Y's essence, are displayed on the first floor of Y's Omotesando, along the atrium staircase leading to the basement, and on the basement floor. The striking red graphic placed in the center of the basement space is an excerpt from a page in the special image book for Spring/Summer 2024. Y's Omotesando, located in the heart of the Omotesando district, serves as the flagship store, with its windows acting as frames that present the space to the city like a painting.
The Collection──Y's MAX VADUKUL Collection
Alongside the installation of photographic works, the Y's MAX VADUKUL capsule collection was unveiled through the photographs. The capsule collection, predominantly monochrome with occasional splashes of red, incorporates Vadukul's worldview. The collection, which includes dresses, shirts, pants, etc., was crafted through a creative process in which Y's reinterprets Vadukul's photographs of Y's clothing, creating a new interpretation of the garments, within the black and white world shared by Vadukul and Y's.
– Y's Omotesando, Official Online Boutique Limited availability
Y's and Max Vadukul
Vadukul has photographed Y's for six seasons, from the 1999 Spring/Summer collection to the 2001-2002 Autumn/Winter collection, creating iconic images. He is a photographer who played a crucial role in creating the image of Y's, and the sustained mutual respect and special relationship between the two bring forth profound interpretations, generating "photographs" that express Y's.
The relationship between Vadukul and Yohji Yamamoto began in the early 1980s, and 2024 will mark 40 years since they met. In 1984, with guidance from the art director Marc Ascoli, Vadukul photographed Yohji Yamamoto's 1984-85 Fall/Winter collection in New York, capturing the garments on the streets and on rooftops to "invade the city with clothes." After that, Vadukul was welcomed by Y's for the 1999 Spring/Summer collection.
Vadukul, an African-born photographer with Indian roots, is the second contract photographer previously hired by The New Yorker and succeeded the position initially held by Richard Avedon. He has adorned the covers of French and Italian editions of "Vogue," and his accumulated career as a fashion photographer has greatly contributed to the distinctive image creation of Y's.
The image of Y's is characterized by being 'Active,' 'Unique,' 'Brave Spirit,' 'Positive Playfulness,' and 'Urban.' With purpose and determination, the image of Y's strides through the city—captured and distilled into photographs by Vadukul. It's a monochromatic tale brimming with energy. The clothes Vadukul takes to the streets exude vitality. These garments, along with the individuals wearing them, undeniably epitomize one of Y's unmistakable photographic styles.
The powerful monochrome photographs represent "Max Vadukul." Y's clothes exist there, in everyday life, strongly and impressively. Through photographs taken on the city streets, Vadukul captures the 'universality' of Y's expressions and the timeless essence of Y's fashion, which has remained unchanged for fifty years. These images vividly depict Y's presence in the world of fashion.
EXHIBITION
Y's WITH PHOTOGRAPHER MAX VADUKUL
Venue: Y's Omotesando, Tokyo
Exhibition period: Friday, April 5, 2024 – End date TBD
Y's Omotesando / Omotesando Hills West Building 1F/B1F, 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03 6455 4302
11:00-20:00
Free admission
