Yohji Yamamoto will launch a collaboration with French dancewear brand Repetto on September 14, 2026.

Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
At the heart of the collaboration is Bolchoï, one of Repetto’s signature ballerina shoes. Born from the world of classical ballet, the shoe has been reinterpreted through Yohji Yamamoto’s distinctive perspective, taking on a new silhouette that evokes elements of both the moccasin and the loafer.

Connecting the two brands are the shared values of “elegance, movement, and freedom.” Repetto has developed its shoemaking through an enduring relationship with the movement of the body, while Yohji Yamamoto has long brought its own interpretation to established forms. Their encounter gives the ballet shoe a new expression.

Reimagining the Ballet-Born Bolchoï

Founded in Paris by Rose Repetto in 1947, Repetto traces its origins to the ballet shoes she created for her son, choreographer and dancer Roland Petit. Since then, its approach to shoemaking—developed through close attention to dancers’ bodies and movements—has extended beyond the ballet stage and into the world of fashion.

Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
The Bolchoï reinterpreted by Yohji Yamamoto carries this heritage within its design. A sculpted front wall inspired by pointe shoes, delicate pleating that embraces the toe, and an elasticated opening that follows the contours of the foot retain details associated with ballet footwear. Through the collaboration with Yohji Yamamoto, these elements are transformed into a form that brings together the characteristics of a moccasin and a ballerina shoe.

From a Shoe for the Body to One for Everyday Life

Ballet shoes were originally created to support dancers’ bodies and enable their movement. This collaboration retains a structure that reflects that intimate relationship with the body while reconstructing the shoe for everyday styling.

Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
The delicacy of a ballerina shoe meets the more substantial presence of a moccasin or loafer. By bringing elements of different footwear traditions together within a single silhouette, the design creates a balance distinct from that of a conventional ballet flat.

Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto and Repetto may appear to inhabit different worlds, yet both approach clothing and footwear through their relationship with the body and movement, rather than treating them as fixed forms. The words chosen for this collaboration—“elegance, movement, and freedom”—capture that point of connection.

Yohji Yamamoto Black, Joined by Red and Silver

The collection centers on black, a color synonymous with Yohji Yamamoto. Striking versions in red and silver add contrasting expressions, further emphasizing the hybrid character of the silhouette.

Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
The black version will be available at Yohji Yamamoto stores nationwide in Japan from September 14. Red and silver will be offered as limited colors. Isetan Shinjuku will hold a two-day advance sale on September 5 and 6, featuring the collaboration styles including the limited colors. At Hankyu Umeda, the red and silver versions will be available from September 19.

Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
Courtesy of Yohji Yamamoto
Bringing together a footwear structure cultivated through ballet and Yohji Yamamoto’s approach to fashion, the collaboration transforms a shoe rooted in movement on stage into a new form for walking through the city, while preserving the heritage from which it emerged.