To coincide with the opening of Tradition/Rebellion: Coming-of-Age Style in Kitakyushu, Japan, exhibition co-curator Yamaguchi Souta offers insights into how fashion can contribute to culture and everyday life through his diverse body of work.
With roots in Japanese street fashion, Yamaguchi has been active for nearly two decades as a stylist and fashion director. Alongside his work in fashion, he has led a wide range of projects spanning retail, exhibitions, events, and product development in collaboration with companies, manufacturers, and craftspeople.
Throughout his career, he has worked on a variety of initiatives, including serving as Creative Director for KANSAI YAMAMOTO, curating a retrospective exhibition of fashion designer Kenzo Takada, and contributing to the design of attire worn by staff at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games medal ceremonies. In recent years, Yamaguchi has worked on a project creating garments tailored to people with disabilities. Connecting historic Japanese clothes with contemporary creativity, he has explored new approaches to fashion, craftsmanship and design.
In this talk, Yamaguchi reflects on key projects from across his career and explores how his broad creative vision informed his approach to Tradition/Rebellion. He discusses how engagement with young people participating in Kitakyushu’s coming-of-age ceremony, as well as with the creative practices behind its distinctive culture, helped shape the exhibition.
The exhibition Tradition/Rebellion is on display in the Gallery at Japan House London from 11 November 2026 to 18 April 2027.
About the speaker
Yamaguchi Souta
Born in 1982 in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, he graduated from Bunka Fashion College, where he received the 22nd President’s Award. He began working as a stylist and fashion director in 2006. His career includes serving as Creative Director for KANSAI YAMAMOTO and curating a retrospective exhibition of fashion designer Kenzo Takada. He also designed the attire worn by staff at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games medal ceremonies.
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