BERLIN.- The often rigid, ultra-slick world of fashion photography is getting a dose of poetic grace this winter. Today, Johanna Breede PHOTOKUNST opened "Yuriko Takagi: IN and OUT of MODE," the first German solo exhibition for the renowned Japanese photographer. The show invites visitors to witness a rare and intimate dialogue between clothing, the human body, and the space they inhabit.

The exhibition, running through January 31, 2026, focuses on three powerful series Takagi created between 1992 and 1995, capturing the collections of avant-garde icons Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons). Unlike commercial shoots that focus on the garment as a static product, Takagi’s black-and-white images turn the act of wearing clothes into a performance.

Her masterful use of long-exposure photography transforms pleated fabric and billowing dresses into ethereal, wave-like forms. The effect is profoundly dynamic: models are not merely posing; they are embodying movement, appearing less like static figures and more like characters woven from light and shadow. As one looks at the images, the brain fills in the motion, creating the illusion of short film sequences rather than simple photographs.

Takagi’s work is a philosophical meditation on identity, form, and the “second skin” we wear. For her, the garment becomes a dance partner. The photographer, who studied both visual communication and fashion design, sees herself as a choreographer, blending Japanese precision with a quiet, powerful sensuality. The result is imagery that is fragile yet forceful, and deeply engaging without being voyeuristic.

This highly anticipated exhibition showcases mostly vintage prints and a few rare, hand-colored unique pieces. It is a stunning affirmation of how the fusion of poetic tranquility and formal excellence can redefine fashion photography, turning it into a timeless art form that transcends fleeting trends.

The artist, born in Tokyo in 1951, has traveled the world, initially training her lens on traditional clothing before bringing her distinctive eye to high fashion. Her exploration of the tension between light, form, and movement has made her one of her generation's most significant Japanese photographers.

The exhibition "IN and OUT of MODE" is on view at Johanna Breede PHOTOKUNST, Fasanenstr. 69, Berlin, through January 31, 2026.