“WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT Autonomy/Heteronomy,” creatively directed by photographer Roland Kirishima, began in April 2019 as an art project inheriting the spirit of “Women on the Move,” a collaboration between Y’s and Kirishima in 2013. The project, which spanned three years and featured 50 women who supported its message as subjects, has now seen all 43 works released online.

Founded by Yohji Yamamoto in 1972, Y’s celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Its foundational concept, “women wearing men’s clothes,” remains at the heart of the brand today. While evolving with the times, Y’s continues to create clothing for women who live with resilience and adaptability.

The title of the art project, “WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT Autonomy/Heteronomy,” reflects Kirishima’s intention to express Y’s philosophy through art visuals, particularly in the terms “Autonomy/Heteronomy.”

Each artwork is characterized by a distinctive “word” that serves as a motif, inspired by the subject and reflecting her unique way of being.

The photographs are set against diverse landscapes captured by Kirishima worldwide, with artworks added by his close associate, art director Rosanne Chan-Yovanovitch. These unique "places" in the artwork represent the individuality of each woman depicted.

Through this art project, Kirishima poses questions: "What is freedom in contemporary society?" and "What does it mean to be a woman?" For 50 years, Y’s has offered its own answers to these questions through the medium of clothing.

We invite you to experience “WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT Autonomy/Heteronomy,” where these ideas are embodied by 50 women, continuously radiating power into the world.

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT Autonomy/Heteronomy
Official Website |https://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/collection/womens-empowerment/