THE HAPPENINGS

In a blow to avant-garde fashionistas everywhere, Yohji Yamamoto Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection with the Tokyo District Court.Integral Corp., a Japanese investment company announced today that it will be sponsoring the fashion company's restructuring plan. Integral's sponsorship agreement will also cover the design business of Yamamoto's daughter, Limi Yamamoto Inc., which includes her fashion line Limi Feu.After a scaled-back presentation of his Yohji Yamamoto line at just-wrapped Paris Fashion Week, rumors have been swirling that financial troubles were afoot. While there is no comment yet from Yohji's team, WWD reports that the designer will be holding a press conference this evening in Tokyo.Still, there might be a silver lining yet. Like Yohji, this designer was in financial hot water before being bailed out by an investor.Christian Lacroix may finally be bailed out of his financial woes, but another iconic fashion house is just beginning. Yohji Yamamoto Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan on Friday, listing debts of six billion yen, equal to $67.8 million. According to a company spokeswoman in Tokyo, the company will continue to operate while under bankruptcy protection, though there was no word on how the move might affect Yohji Yamamoto's collaboration with Adidas, Y-3