As far as ‘influential designers’ go, there are few who match up to Yohji Yamamoto. Known for his gender-bending, ahead-of-the-curve, revolutionary designs—not to mention the craziest Y-3 adidas kicks known to man— the legend is more humble than should be possible. With this interview, he begins with his break into designing as the son of a war widow and takes you through his entire fashion philosophy.

This interview is homework for life, so make a tea, kick back, and listen to a living legend school us all on everything from helping his mother, to the decision to take his runways to Paris.