adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto Garde High

The "Y" stands for Yohji Yamamoto, the "3" represents adidas' three signature stripes and the "-" signifies the link between the two.

"Traveling means coming back home," explains Yohji Yamamoto. "We are always unconsciously wanting to come back. It is one of man's strongest desires." The collection was inspired by the nature of escape on horseback, on foot, and into the hills. The adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto clothing collection is designed for the journey, not the destination and was realized with clothing that combined classic materials and silhouettes with futuristic and protective details like waterproof zippers, neoprene insets, holographic toggles, and ergonomic quilting.

Protective details were shown, which included exaggerated funnel-neck collars; simple modularity; voluminous, cocoon-like silhouettes; and intensive quilting on everything from hoods to coats to leggings. Prints and patches on select garments reflected the collection's theme, stating phrases like "Nowhere in Particular," "Homeward Bound," and "I'm on the Road."

The women's collection played greatly with volume and comfort, realized in hooded ponchos, elaborate cut-away dresses, wool puffer shrugs, pleated skirts with raw hems, and oversized wide-leg wool pants - all shown in tones of black, olive drab, and red. Y-3 for men followed a similar theme, showing army parkas, striped union suits, quilted work jackets in suede and wool, and cotton leggings inset with panels of Fair Isle knits.

Warmth and comfort were the themes for adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto accessories, showing oversize hooded scarves, quilted nylon hats, and gloves belted with three pieces of leather - a subtle play on the three-stripes tradition. Shoes for men and women combined the technical expertise of adidas with classical shapes and materials, like a Japanese warrior boot with a cutout sole for men, and an "origami" wedge heel for women.

Since September 2004, global retail success and growing demand from consumers have led Y-3 to open its own monobrand stores. In Tokyo, Yohji Yamamoto's city of residence, the first Y-3 flagship store is located close to his own signature store. Additional stores opened during 2007 in Beijing, Manchester, Paris and Miami. The first Y-3 flagship store in New York opened in February of 2008 in the Meat Packing District. A second location followed in Soho in September 2008. Additional stores in major cities across the USA, Asia and Europe are expected to open as well.

The ongoing success of the brand can be credited to the perfect blend of adidas' expertise and innovation in sport functionality and Yohji Yamamoto's signature sense of style.