Yoshiyuki Konishi 1990s New York Skyline Intarsia Knit with Sequins and Viva Ficce Back, Multicolour

A 1990s Yoshiyuki Konishi crewneck knit showing Manhattan towers in intarsia, studded with sequins and lettered Viva Ficce across the back, the kind of exuberant piece that made Don Konishi famous.

The Piece

Yoshiyuki Konishi, known in Japan as Don Konishi, founded Ficce in the early 1980s and became one of the defining designers of the bubble era. His knitwear, dense with colour, appliqué and wit, was worn by entertainers and is now collected internationally as a high point of Japanese designer knitting.

This sweater carries his own name label. The front is a stylised New York at night, skyscrapers in pink, green, yellow and red against a turquoise sky, with signs reading Hop Town and Bag Power picked out in sequins. The sleeves are knitted with stars and stripes, the cuffs are red and the neck is lined in hot pink. Across the back, Viva Ficce is written in gold and red sequin script above more towers.

It measures 55 cm across the shoulder and 52 cm across the body, with a 66 cm length, a relaxed fit for a men's medium or a slightly oversized women's fit.

Sequinned skyline knits of this kind are some of the most photographed Konishi pieces and turn up less often each year, as collectors abroad have discovered the label. Wear it with plain black trousers and let the knit do the talking.

Details

• Designer: Yoshiyuki Konishi
• Season: 1990s (attributed)
• Model / ref: New York skyline intarsia crewneck
• Material: Knit blend, 85% / 15% per composition label; sequin embellishment
• Colour: Turquoise, blue, pink, green, yellow, red
• Made in: Japan
• Tagged size: Not marked
• Measurements: Shoulder 55 cm · Chest (pit to pit) 52 cm · Sleeve 62 cm · Length 66 cm
• Included: Sweater only

Condition

• Graded about 8 out of 10.
• Sequins largely complete.
• Light general wear consistent with age; normal yarn floats inside the intarsia.

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 inside out, or dry clean, and dry flat to protect the sequins.

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.

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