Japan’s largest publisher Kodansha will release a new high-art photography book, XY featuring rock star and fashion icon YOSHIKI, on his birthday on Friday, November 20, 2020. YOSHIKI was the first Japanese man to appear on the cover of VOGUE Japan, and last month he appeared on the cover of Numero TOKYO, which is also at the forefront of fashion.
XY will be available on Amazon in select countries:https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/406220522X.
This full-length XY book and DVD set, which is packaged in a custom cosmetic case, reveals “a YOSHIKI you have never seen before” with the famed rock drummer and classical pianist in photographed in cutting-edge fashion amidst dreamlike settings. YOSHIKI’s provocative persona is captured by award-winning photographer Melanie Pullen, who grew up being influenced by family friends Andy Warhol and Allen Ginsberg, and has had many photo exhibitions in museums around the world.
“It may be weird for me to say this myself, but I still look good, and I think I can still keep going for a while,” YOSHIKI laughed. “But behind the scenes, I put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in–hopefully, this will be the trigger to start releasing some music.”
Additionally, an accompanying 30-minute DVD offers a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot, as well as an exclusive interview with YOSHIKI and the prestigious Hollywood creative team behind the XY photo book.
About YOSHIKI:
YOSHIKI, international icon of music, pop culture, and more, first made fashion waves when he headlined an Yves Saint Laurent launch event. He went on to design his own kimono collection, Yoshikimono, which gained worldwide attention as it opened 2020 Tokyo Fashion Week and was selected by the Tokyo National Museum for their famed kimono exhibit.
In music, as a solo artist and leader of the stadium-packing rock group X Japan, YOSHIKIhas sold 50 million albums and singles worldwide. He has headlined Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Wembley Arena; and has sold out the Tokyo Dome a record-setting 18 times. He also composed the theme for the Golden Globe Awards, a classical concerto for the Emperor of Japan, and the Hello Kitty theme song, as well as the theme for the hit animation series, Attack on Titan.
His collaborations include Beatles producer George Martin, Roger Taylor of Queen, and Sarah Brightman; and most recently Bono, will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, and St. Vincent.
YOSHIKI is currently composing music for xXx 4, the next film in the Hollywood blockbuster franchise starring Vin Diesel, and other soon-to-be-announced TV and film projects. YOSHIKI was named by Consequence of Sound as “one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history” and is described by Billboard magazine as “prolific” and “a musical innovator.”
About the XY photo book production team:
The XY photo book pulled together some of the top creative talent in the world. Photographer/artist Melanie Pullen has photographs exhibited in the permanent collections of museums around the world, including the Getty Museum (Los Angeles). Her work has been featured in Vogue, Esquire, Elle, New York Times Magazine, and more. Celebrity stylist Santa Bevacqua of Italy has worked with L’Oréal, BMW, Vogue, GQ, Elle, Esquire, and Harper’s Bazaar. Producer Sakiko Yamada is founder of Splendent Media and has worked with Hollywood luminaries such as Al Pacino. Director Paul Lauren has worked with David Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Natalie Portman and Justin Bieber. Video producer Michael Marius Pesa has filmed George Clooney, Halsey, Regina Hall, Jesse Eisenberg, and Gabrielle Union.
XY photo book specifications:
・ All 4 colors B4 full size hardcover 96 pages
・ “Making of” DVD (30 minutes)
・ “XY” special custom cosmetic box package
・ Release date: November 20, 2020 on Amazon HERE
・ Publisher: Kodansha
・ Reservations accepted from October 1
・ E-books released: November 20, 2020
YOSHIKI Official Website:
YOSHIKI Instagram:
