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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Lifestyle
Asharq Al-Awsat

Japanese Fashion Designer Kansai Yamamoto Dies at 76

Kansai Yamamoto was known for his eye-catching and bold designs. AFP

Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto has died of leukaemia aged 76, his daughter announced on Monday.

"He left this world peacefully, surrounded by loved ones," actress Mirai Yamamoto announced on Instagram.

"In my eyes, my father was not only the electric and energetic soul that the world knew him as but someone who was also thoughtful, kind-hearted, and affectionate," she added.

Yamamoto was considered a pioneer of the country's industry and known for his work with David Bowie. He was also known for creating bold avant-garde pieces that defied gender norms and featured brilliant colors and patterns.

He leapt to prominence with international shows from the 1970s onwards and won popular acclaim for his collaboration with Bowie, producing a series of outfits for the singer's Ziggy Stardust alter ego, AFP reported.

"I found David's aesthetic and interest in transcending gender boundaries shockingly beautiful," he told website The Cut in 2018.

Yamamoto's designs often incorporated elements from Japanese culture, and he famously dressed Bowie in a cape covered in Japanese kanji characters.

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