Has Yohji Gone SKIMS?

Double Tap to ZoomStyleYou Can Layer Your Yohji Yamamoto with Y's Underwear Now Great news for all-black-clad devotees of Yohji Yamamoto: You can now wear the legendary designer down to your actual underwear, via its new UNDER Y’s collection. It only took 55 years for the designer to catch on to the value of the market but now, he's finally digging in. (Ar at least his eponymous company is.) This is not Yamamoto gone SKIMS but, at the same time, it's about as close as we're gonna get.The move makes sense, given that Yamamoto's many sub-labels have been quietly turning into his name recognition a full lifestyle empire, albeit one anchored to funeral-chic silhouettes. Towels, home goods, leather handbags, and New Era sportswear sit beside Yamamoto's archetypal black shirts and balloon pants, so not so surprising that Yamamoto’s foundational Y’s label might launch an UNDER Y’s underwear collection “created not to be seen but to become part of everyday life,” per the press release. The collection includes a series of basics that run from ¥8,800 ($59) for a pair of short leggings up to ¥17,600 (about $118) for a long-sleeve mock-neck, plus the satisfaction of knowing you have Yohji on beneath your Yohji. It's more about the vibes than the product itself, which is pretty classic as far as undergarments are concerned.This isn’t a Yamamoto label’s first ride at the underwear rodeo — the Pour Homme line sells a $170 two-pack of boxer briefs and Y3, the line Yamamoto co-created with adidas, has always sold socks and similar sporty essentials. But by establishing an official line of undergarments through his mainline Y’s label, the designer's imprint is betting that there’s room for more designer underwear in a category that’s crowded with disruptors like SKIMS and veteran brands like Calvin Klein alike. For now, UNDER Y’s is Japan-only, releasing August 14 at Y’s stores and online, and sticks to Y’s usual womenswear-with-a-menswear-lean ethos, but the move signals a more explorative era for Yamamoto’s OG brand. Y’s did just partner with Japanese streetwear label Fake as Flowers on a surprisingly unisex line of coats, jackets, bags, and trousers (made from luxe ancient Indian kantha fabric, no less). If Y’s can go unisex, there’s hope UNDER Y’s will eventually find its way to the Y’s For Men line. After all, SKIMS did the math and launched incredibly popular briefs and boxers for men. Though maybe that’s just wishful thinking, given the common plight of men defaulting to the same old multipack of CK briefs. Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit our SHOPPER page and subscribe to the newsletter for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.We RecommendHere's How You Make One of Fashion’s Oldest Fabrics Feel FreshYou Probably Missed One of Fashion Week's Biggest CollabsThe Most Underrated Thing at Milan Design Week? The Staff UniformsYohji Yamamoto Made Yakuza Suits Cool (Again)The Japanese Clothing Brands Every Highsnobiety Reader Should Know & Where to Buy ThemWhat To Read NextThe Art of the Long Weekend WardrobeLacoste and Zalando Gear Up For The Crocoliga FinalCrocs' Goated Clog Just Had a Literal CowThis Week's Best Nike Sneaker ReleasesZalando’s Visionary Award Winner Was the Underdog CPHFW Needed