At their essence, adidas and Yohji Yamamoto are united in their endless quest to define and dress one singular object: the human body in motion. For Spring/Summer 2016, Y-3 delivers a bold, iconic collection that explores a kinetic grace with sheer, fluid, ultra-light pieces designed to move – the 3 Stripes in Motion. Presented during Paris Men’s Fashion Week at the Lycée Carnot on Sunday, June 28, 2015, the collection signifies a return to the graphic simplicity of both Yamamoto’s work and adidas’ three-stripe motif. Heightening the theme, men’s and women’s pieces debuted side by side against the backdrop of an avant-garde performance by “TAO Dance Theater” and choreography by Tao Ye”, a fearless gesture of modern movement. The collection originated in a series of sketches that Yamamoto imagined with rapid-fire creativity. The drawings yield the clothing itself, but also serve as decoration when printed as artwork across a range of apparel from tanks to T-shirts. Further inspired, Yamamoto created four self-portraits of himself in motion that are also used as graphic treatment. For the designer, the topic of movement is most clearly encapsulated in a series of stunning ponchos in three distinct silhouettes, two of which are emblazoned with his sketches. The poncho is undoubtedly the star of the collection, arriving in 3 distinct styles. The first in a classic black, ultra-light, rain-proof nylon with custom white Yamamoto artwork, the second in a light air mesh fabric featuring a voluminous silhouette that can be converted and customized; and the third a bonded, two-layer poncho. Elsewhere in the collection, Yamamoto’s iconic inspiration is seen in men’s and women’s apparel bearing four characteristics: fluidity, color, print, and light. The range shows simplicity of form with easy, fluid, ergonomic lines—breezy sportswear designed to ride the wind. Bright pops of electric blue for men and candy red for women enhance a classic Y-3 color palette of black and white. Abstract prints create a study in motion, emphasizing the elegant fluidity of the clothes. And Y-3 continues its forward strides in ultra-light design with air meshes and delicate jerseys that conjure a sense of easy elegance and couture comfort. Light also served as a literal inspiration for a pack of clothes printed with Yamamoto’s signature quotes spelled out in neon light. Footwear, meanwhile, further builds on two established icons: the adidas Boost and the Qasa. The Boost pairs adidas’ breakthrough performance cushioning with bold new upper designs, while the unmistakable Qasa profile evolves into cool summer sandals in a range of colors and materials for men and women. Also new this season is the Kyujo footwear style—a silhouette that features an inner “booty” comprised of technical knit fabrics that is overlaid with panels of leather wrapping around the foot. Offered in both a mid and low cut, the Kyujo debuts in a black and white graphic combination along side iterations in both seasonal prints and colour-ways. Further, this directional new shoe is detailed with a lightweight outsole, providing the wearer with superior comfort and stability. As a first, Y-3 will make two key styles from the Spring/Summer 2016 collection available for pre-order on Y-3.com. This exciting option will allow Y-3 fans worldwide the opportunity to be among the first to receive both items, only weeks after debuting during the Y-3 Spring/Summer 2016 runway presentation. This exclusive pre-order selection includes the brand new all white Qasa High sneaker and the black funnel-necked Shacho’s poncho, featuring the Yamamoto artwork on the back. Pre order is available for one week only, with items arriving to customers by the end of July 2016, long before the remaining collection arrives in stores for the new season.