Y-3
Adidas · Japan
Y-3 is a fashion line created by Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto in collaboration with sportswear group adidas. Its collections debuted in 2003 and combine tailoring with sport and skate influences.
| Debut | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Designer | Yohji Yamamoto |
| Partner | adidas |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Segment | Luxury and designer houses |
| Website | adidas.com/us/y-3 |
What is Y-3?
Y-3 is a collaboration between adidas and the Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. The adidas site presents the line as a meeting of fashion and sport, and its latest Fall/Winter 2026 collection is described as combining fashion, sport and skate culture with skateboarder Mark Gonzales.
History
Yohji Yamamoto's company timeline lists "2003: Y-3 line and collection debut". Public sources reviewed for this profile do not describe the structure of the partnership in detail, so the ownership split between Yamamoto's company and adidas is not described here. Adidas is the parent group associated with the line in the brand list.
Products and positioning
The Y-3 range covers apparel, footwear and accessories for men and women, shown as seasonal collections. The Fall/Winter 2026 presentation highlights dramatic tailored forms, a campaign photographed by Jet Swan, and pieces featuring artwork by Chito. The positioning sits between designer fashion and performance sportswear, at luxury price points.
Business model and distribution
Y-3 is sold through the adidas e-commerce site and through designer retailers and Y-3 stores. Public sources checked do not provide a breakdown of channels or sales, so no figures are given.
Why it matters
Y-3 is one of the earliest and longest-running examples of a luxury designer working with a global sportswear company on a permanent line rather than a one-off capsule. It helped establish the link between high fashion and sneaker culture that later collaborations followed.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Y-3?
Y-3 is a collaboration between adidas and designer Yohji Yamamoto. Public sources do not set out the exact ownership split between the two.
When did Y-3 start?
Y-3 made its collection debut in 2003, according to Yohji Yamamoto's company timeline. It is a line created with adidas.