Kansai Yamamoto, Japanese fashion designer who outfitted David Bowie, dies at 76

A file photo taken in 2015 shows Kansai Yamamoto waving to the audience after an event in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, known for his flamboyant creations and work on costumes for singer David Bowie – especially "Ziggy Stardust" – has died of leukemia, his company announced on Monday (July 27).

He was 76-years-old. Born in 1944 in Yokohama, Yamamoto first entered university to study engineering before turning to fashion design, and in 1971 became the first Japanese designer to hold a show in London, blending traditional Japanese motifs – including designs from kabuki theatre – with fantasy in bright, bold designs.