Kansai Yamamoto ( born February 8, 1944) is one of the leaders in Japanese Contemporary fashion, in particular during the 1970s and 1980s. Inspired by the colorful art of Japan’s Momoyama period (1568–1615) and traditional Kabuki theater, his exuberant designs contrast with the Zen-like simplicity and deconstructed silhouettes favored today by designers such as Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, and Issey Miyake.
Kansai was born in Yokohama, Japan. After studying civil engineering and English at Nippon University ,got a so-en prise at Bunka Fashion College in 1967 . The following year he opened his first boutique in Tokyo.
In 1971, he launched his own company, Yamamoto Kansai Company, Ltd., Tokyo. His first collection debuted in London that same year, where his clothing was seen by David Bowie. Bowie later commissioned Kansai to create the wardrobe for his Ziggy Stardust stage persona. His floaty womenswear creations helped cement Bowie’s androgynous look during his Ziggy Stardust tour, and a long-term relationship was born. STOP……
I went to see the documentary film ‘David Bowie Is’ last night, in which Kansai Yamamoto took the stage and he told the actual story : one night he was called by a friend, who kept on telling Kansai he HAD TO GO TO NEW YORK to see something spectacular!! He finally gave in and went to New York to see the concert of David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust, not knowing what to expect. When Ziggy entered the stage, he was wearing an outfit by Kansai. Actually the entire show Ziggy was dressed in Kansai Yamamoto. Bowie had purchased many items of the Kansai Yamamoto collection, which was in fact a womenswear collection…….
They did become friends….
Ziggy Stardust wardrobe
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Kansai’s first collection was sold in the USA at Hess’s Department Store in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a department store known for its controversial fashion shows of American and European styles selected for their potential to influence ready-to-wear clothing designs. (Rudy Gernreich’s topless bathing suit was first modeled at Hess’s in 1964). His 1975 debut in Paris was followed by the opening of his Kansai Boutique in 1977.
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Since his last collection for fall/winter 1992, Kansai has lent his name to licensed products ranging from eyeglasses to tableware. His fashion show spectaculars have become the framework for the grand Kansai Super Shows, the first of which was held in Moscow’s Red Square in 1993. Others held since in Japan, Vietnam, India, and Berlin have drawn audiences in the hundreds of thousands.
KANSAI SUPER SHOW
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Kansai Yamamoto designed the Skyliner train, unveiled in 2010, that connects Japan’s Narita Airport with central Tokyo.
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Vintage Kansai Yamamoto.
Kansai Yamomoto vintage clothing is very sought after. You can find it on : http://www.farfetch.com/nl/shopping/women/kansai-yamamoto-vintage/items.aspx
https://www.etsy.com/nl/search?q=kansai%20yamamoto&ref=auto1
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Kansai Yamamoto
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info:
agnautacouture.com 
The spiderweb costume with hands is not by Kansai but by Natasha Korniloff also, the Kansai designs were worn mainly for the Aladdin Sane tour. Freddie Burretti designed the Ziggy Stardust tour costumes although one or two Kansai outfits were eventually added on that tour.