For over two decades, the partnership between adidas and Yohji Yamamoto has continued to pioneer a trailblazing approach to avant-garde sportswear. In Fall/Winter 2023, Y-3 returns to present the third chapter of its year long exploratory narrative, this time centering on the concept of ‘Rebel Sports’ – with the subversive label taking athletic iconography, silhouettes, and materials and recontextualising them through through the lens of Yohji Yamamoto’s renegade design vision.
Inspired by adidas’ inimitable sporting legacy, Chapter 3’s apparel collection sees Y-3 evolve the collegiate motifs of previous seasons, for an entirely new context. Drawing on vintage varsity style lettering, an array of graphics are applied to jackets, t-shirts, and hoodies, in kettle stitch embroidery, chenille patches, puff prints, and engineered knits. A curated offering of quilted pieces, with a fabrication inspired by the adidas Originals Aloxe tracksuit, completes the apparel highlights with a selection of jackets, vests, skirts, and pants.
The footwear, meanwhile, stays true to the ‘Rebel Sports’ conceptual impetus with the Y-3 CENTENNIAL HI and Y-3 CENTENNIAL LO which reimagine a quintessential athletic footwear silhouette, in elevated material make-ups. The collection also features a continuation of the label’s exploration of signature adidas Originals archival silhouettes with updated takes on the Y-3 SUPERSTAR, Y-3 MARATHON TR, and Y-3 GAZELLE. The collection is then rounded out by a host of bold accessories including elevated totes, gym bags, backpacks, body bags, knit beanies, caps, and more.
Having traversed Yohji Yamamoto’s homeland of Japan for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2023 campaigns, the seasonal story journeys to adidas’ mother country of Germany, to capture Berlin’s unique, energetic, and prolific creative community. Shot by local photographer, Lengua, and motion director Thyago Sainte, the stills, moving images, and short film spotlight an enigmatic cast of musical figures that call Berlin home in personally resonant locations. At once intimate and raw, the campaign features the genre-bending Nigerian-born producer, singer and songwriter, LA Timpa, the cult British musician, rapper, and producer, Tricky, the eclectic DJ and experimental musician, Mobile Girl, the Korean producer and DJ, Tobias aka Why Be, the trailblazing artist, designer, and musician Bill Kouligas, and the formidable DJ duo and co-founders of Kontinuum Productions, Dimitra and Soraya.
Channeling a new vision for sporting inspired design, Y-3 Fall/Winter 2023 Chapter 3 is available in Y-3 stores.
Talent:
Bill Kouligas @bill_kouligas
Dimitra @ozmadmitra
Soraya @soraya_co1
LA Timpa @l.a.timpa
Tricky @trickyofficial
Mobile Girl @mobilegirl
Tobias @900kjuke
