Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto dies at 76
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, known for his avant-garde and colorful work that included flamboyant costumes of the late rock icon David Bowie, has died of leukemia, his company said on Monday. He was 76.
Yamamoto developed leukemia in February and was determined to recover and come back with renewed energy, according to the company named after him. He died on Tuesday last week.
Born in 1944 in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Yamamoto debuted in 1971, becoming the first Japanese fashion designer to hold a show in London. He became internationally known for blending traditional Japanese motifs with brilliant colors and bold designs.
Yamamoto designed the costume for Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust alter ego, and also developed friendships with top artists, including Elton John and Stevie Wonder, his company said.