Y-3 FW26 Brings the Kinetic Elegance and the Velocity of Yohji to the Runway
In a surprise collaboration, Yohji Yamamoto’s avant-garde tailoring collided with the precision of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.
Summary
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The Y-3 FW26 show was staged as a dynamic performance piece, featuring dancers who jumped off custom-built skate ramps while the Adidas three-stripes logo defined the runway’s visual path
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Legendary artist and skater Mark Gonzales walked the show to highlight a collaboration featuring his signature graffiti art on premium leather bomber jackets and oversized silhouettes
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In a major industry pivot, the collection debuted a partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, introducing motocross-inspired technical wear and motorsport motifs into Yamamoto’s avant-garde universe
The Y-3 Fall/Winter 2026 presentation transcended the traditional runway format, unfolding as a high-octane performance piece that bridged the gap between avant-garde tailoring and extreme sports. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a hauntingly beautiful moving tableau of dancers. As the master Yohji Yamamoto looked on from the front row, the performance intensified; dancers dressed in monochromatic black utilized a runway specifically engineered to resemble a series of skate ramps. These architectural stages allowed performers to leap and flow across the space, while the iconic adidas Three Stripes stretched dramatically down the length of the floor.
Visually, the apparel is anchored by a dialogue between long-time collaborator Chikami Hayashi and the artist Chito, whose spray-painted graphics mutated traditional adidas branding. The collection itself was a masterclass in minimalist tension and silhouette. Models moved through the skate-inspired set wearing oversized leather jackets, reconstructed trench coats, and voluminous bomber jackets that stayed true to the brand’s dark, draped DNA. A pivotal moment occurred when legendary skater Mark Gonzales took to the runway, showcasing leather bombers emblazoned with his unmistakable graffiti signature art. This nod to street heritage was balanced by a surge of technical innovation, as the show debuted an array of new adidas Y-3 footwear silhouettes that pushed the boundaries of contemporary sneaker design. In footwear, Y-3 expanded its technical catalog with the Y-3 TOKYO WARPED and the Y-3 SUPERSTAR 3G, which juxtaposes a low-profile aesthetic with an exaggerated sole. The show concluded in a “chronophotographical” blur of models and movers, effectively merging the adrenaline of the cockpit with Yamamoto’s avant-garde subversion. Gonzales walked the show, debuting the Y-3 NISI, the brand’s first-ever fully vulcanized sneaker.
The most significant revelation of the evening, however, was the announcement of a formal partnership between Y-3 and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. This collaboration introduced a high-performance narrative to the show, manifesting in a series of motocross-inspired jackets and graphic tees. These pieces featured sleek, aerodynamic motifs and F1-inspired branding, signaling a new chapter for the house where high-fashion luxury meets the precision of elite motorsport. The result was a collection that felt both grounded in the rebellious spirit of the skate park and propelled by the velocity of the racetrack.
