Yohjiro Takagi: Remember the Name
In the wake of the pandemic, the fashion industry witnessed a massive uptick in independent designers. While historically, a couple of emerging talents would find their footing in the industry, the contemporary scene sees a monthly influx of emerging labels. The shift, driven by technology and digital avenues – i.e., Instagram, TikTok, and X – allows almost anyone to create and promote their new clothing creations. With the large influx of designers comes oversaturation, and while more volume is present than ever, it is hard to tell whether this volume works in parallel with high quality. However, serious talent is still emerging: one designer, in particular, and a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins, Yohjiro Takagi.
© Yohjiro Takagi
Takagi concluded his education at CSM with an impressive debut collection. His designs featured metal as a textile base, combined with intentional, vibrant, crystalline structures, producing a final look straight out of a fantasy realm. While each student’s final project at CSM is small—limited to, at most, 5–6 pieces—Takagi showcased the ability to apply ingenuity to basic designs, harmonizing the two, producing a rare final project.
© Yohjiro Takagi
After graduating from Central Saint Martins, Takagi returned to his homeland, Japan, and created his brand, Oppose Duality. Oppose Duality is a testament to Takagi’s dedication to craftsmanship and construction, a philosophy he honed at CSM. His work features sleek and modern cuts, but the intricate details that he adds elevate the clothing, transforming what would be a minimalist design into a unique piece. Takagi’s ‘8 pocket trousers’ design is a perfect example of this, taking a straight-legged, basic silhouette and transforming it into an emblematic symbol of futurism in the conventional.
© Yohjiro Takagi
While Takagi’s work has been exciting, he is new to the fashion world, and his brand reflects that. Oppose Duality is young, fun, and has room to grow, perfectly representing what it means to be up-and-coming in today's fashion industry. We cannot wait to see where Yohjiro Takagi goes from here and how he can build on his already rare craft.
