1998 Yohji Yamamoto Runway Black Crepe Asymmetric Avant-Garde Bias Cut Dress

ID: 0208263

Size: extra small / small

Condition: excellent

This ultra chic, architectural Yohji Yamamoto black crepe avant garde dress dates back to his highly acclaimed spring/summer 1998 collection. A true visionary, Yohji Yamamoto launched his eponymous label in Tokyo in 1972 and revolutionized Paris fashion in the early 1980s alongside contemporaries Rei Kawakubo and Issey Miyake. This collection marked a pivotal moment for the designer, capturing a poetic minimalism that rejected trend-driven fashion, and this dress is a perfect example of his artistry.

Cut on the bias, the silhouette skims the body with fluid precision, allowing the jet-black synthetic crepe fabric to move naturally as you walk. Falling to a graceful mid-calf length, the dress elongates the line of the body and creates an understated elegance that feels strikingly modern. The bodice is defined by asymmetric draping that sweeps across the front, creating depth through construction. A single pocket is cleverly integrated into the design, reinforcing Yamamoto’s belief that utility and beauty should coexist. The engineering is what truly sets this piece apart from an ordinary little black dress. Your left arm slips through a conventional cap sleeve, while the right side is formed from a sculptural panel that wraps over the shoulder and connects at the back with a snap closure. The side draping is created from a back panel that folds forward and is secured with a series of snaps, working in harmony with a discreet off-center zipper. Every element is intentional, transforming the garment into wearable art. It is easy to understand why Yamamoto’s piece like this were favored by style icons like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who gravitated toward his quiet confidence and restraint. Yamamoto pieces from this era are highly collectible and becoming increasingly rare. This is the archival 'little black dress' you buy when you want something that feels both timeless and intellectually compelling.