Ficce Yoshiyuki Konishi Vintage Mohair-Blend Jacquard Sweater, Twin Lions Motif, Cobalt and Violet, Size M

A bubble-era Ficce sweater by Yoshiyuki Konishi, knitted as a full pictorial jacquard of twin golden lions, a feathered crest and chain swags in cobalt, violet and saffron.

The Piece

Yoshiyuki Konishi, known across Japan simply as Don Konishi, built Ficce into one of the defining menswear labels of the late 1980s and early 1990s. His knitwear was the opposite of quiet luxury: dense, multicoloured jacquards worked in wool, mohair and novelty yarns, worn on Japanese television by comedians and entertainers, Beat Takeshi reportedly among them. Today these sweaters are collected overseas as the Japanese answer to the great Australian and Italian textured knits of the same decade.

This example is among the more architectural Ficce designs. Two golden lions stand rampant either side of a central medallion crowned with a fan of red, green and gold feathers; grey chain-link swags hang from the shoulders and a pair of heraldic horseshoes anchors the hem. The ground shifts from cobalt to violet, with a deep purple ribbed hem and cuffs. Several yarns are mixed in one surface, so the mohair halo sits beside flatter nylon and rayon areas and the picture reads almost like tapestry.

The inside label carries the Ficce Yoshiyuki Konishi script logo and the composition tag carries the reference DDX-203. The cut is the classic early-1990s crewneck: generous through the body, dropped shoulder, slightly blousoned at the ribbed hem.

Worn on the model it sits loose and boxy over black trousers, which is exactly how it should look. It is a statement piece for collectors of Japanese bubble-era design and for anyone who wears colour seriously.

Details

• Designer: Yoshiyuki Konishi for Ficce
• Season: Circa late 1980s to early 1990s (attributed)
• Model / ref: DDX-203
• Material: Wool 58%, mohair 13%, nylon 26%, rayon 14%, polyester 2% (as tagged)
• Colour: Cobalt, violet, saffron, red and grey multicolour
• Made in: Japan
• Tagged size: M
• Measurements: Shoulder 57 cm · Chest (pit to pit) 56 cm · Sleeve 56 cm · Length 66 cm
• Included: Sweater only

Condition

• Pre-owned and stored at home for many years.
• Some small loose threads in the knit, typical of mixed-yarn jacquards of this age; nothing that affects wear.
• No obvious stains, holes or moth damage seen.
• Colours remain saturated; the mohair halo is intact.

Condition grade AB on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.

Authenticity & Care

The labels, materials, stitching, hardware and construction are examined together and documented in Japan before dispatch; anything that cannot be confirmed is stated plainly in the description. Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Hand wash cold or dry clean, dry flat away from sunlight, and store folded rather than hung.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything before you buy, and see our published policy.

Collectors also search: Ficce sweater · Yoshiyuki Konishi sweater · Don Konishi knit · vintage Japanese jacquard sweater · Ficce vintage knit · 90s Japanese mohair sweater · Coogi style sweater Japan · Ficce Uomo knitwear · bubble era Japanese fashion