I LOVE Yohji Yamamoto. In my fantasy lifestyle I'd wear his clothes all of the time--on my tall, androgynous fantasy body, of course. There's a documentary about him floating around somewhere that I keep meaning to watch.
As to how he pulls it off? Fierce independence, prioritizing the textures and shapes and elements of the garments themselves over conventional figure flattery (I'd argue this outfit does have an element of figure flattery to it, because the outfit's cleanest, narrowest point is still the true waist), and heavy dose of pure genius?
I wouldn't call this outfit clean-lined or minimal. I've heard this type of style described as "homeless chic," but I strongly dislike that term.
One thing I always wonder is if I'd react the same way to outfits like this if I saw them on someone walking down the street as I do when I see them in catwalk or pricey online boutique photos. Would it still scream "genius"? I don't know. I don't see many people walking around in Yamamoto!
There's a blogger I've followed for years who wears, or a least used to wear stuff like this and looks amazing in it... she doesn't post photos or outfits anymore, though, just illustrations. http://upanddowntown.blogspot.com/
