The team at Tha Ltd., a creative interactive design studio based in Tokyo, released an interesting product called FRAMED. FRAMED is not merely a display panel to show art. This 55″ High Definition LED display panel comes equipped with a 2.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, built-in HD camera, stereo speakers and high definition microphone for interactivity. According to Tha Ltd. FRAMED “Is a new category of interior device which allows digital art to illuminate the space with ease of hanging a painting or an art piece” and “a platform for new art forms”. FRAMED GALLERY, an online marketplace for FRAMED allows owners of the device to instantly purchase and collect exclusive artwork from artists around the world. The FRAMED display costs about ¥1.2 million JPY (over $14,000 USD) while each interchangeable piece of art being around $300 USD, depending on the piece.
Here’s a video from CSCOUT showing a demo of FRAMED.
Cogoo, a bicycle sharing service based in Tokyo, Japan created the prototype for Turntable Rider, a kit that turns any BMX bike into a DJ mix pad and instrument. The video shows Japanese pro BMX rider Kotaro, DJ BAKU, and friends creating a mix by performing tricks on their bike.
“The bike wheels, become jog wheels.
The handbrakes, become sound pads.
Mix and scratch at will.
When you begin to ride, surely a new world is waiting for you.
Now let’s share. Bicycle. Music. A new culture”
Cogoo plans on producing Turntable Rider for the masses once they reach 5900 Facebook “Likes” on their website here.
Showcases a discussion about Japan’s influence on design and the creative industry. The video features an influential group of in the international fashion industry including Jim Moore from GQ, Todd Snyder from TODD SNYDER, Ryan from PARABELLUM, Jeremiah Mandel from ALOHA RAG, and Tokihito Yoshida from TO-KI-TO.
Gucci’s new blog “HAND” features videos introducing master craftsmen of Japan in an attempt to uncover the tradition of craftsmanship in Japan and a need to protect the skills that have been passed down through generations. Gucci will continue introducing craftsmen of different genres throughout 2012. Videos are only in Japanese.
Full routine from the Japanese dance team Wrecking Crew Orchestra who were on the new Xperia commercial in Japan. Although the idea of wearable dance gear was first introduced to the masses by team iLuminate from Los Angeles in the TV show “America’s Got Talent”, WCO’s Tron-inspired moves and creative use of lights are mind blowing.
Japanese artist Takashi Murakami was commissioned by Google to produce today’s Google doodle which was put up on their homepage today for the summer solstice.
The multicolored Japanese anime-inspired illustration titled, “The First Day of Summer,” involves flowery bursts around the heads of Murakami’s funky characters shown above.
Murakami’s doodle represents the date of the summer solstice, but the doodle’s title is somewhat misleading – the solstice is not the first day of summer but rather the longest day in summer. Anyhow, Google has done us a big big favor by fulfilling the world’s daily need for Kawaii and glimpses of an acid trip for summer solstice. Thanks!
Also if you live in the southern hemisphere, this very same day could have been the winter solstice. Winter Solstice version below in Murakami’s doodle for Google Brazil.
Photo: Google Brazil
SPECS
year : 2011
material : Brass . Iron(brass plating)
size : W500mm x D300mm x H400mm
weight : 1.7kg
Created as an instrument, ‘pendulum sound machine’ subverts a record player’s rotation to make noise with 16 plate-hitting pendulums. the brass-plated pendulums rest on original phonograph record with no grooves, and as the record turns, the pendulums move and hit the plates overhead.
Multiple machines can be used in tandem, creating different tones with plates of various sizes.
Date : June 13 - June 19, 2011
Location : 2-13-15, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku,Tokyo
While Made with Japan continues Art Drive Japan online charity auction for Tohoku at http://www.artdrivejapan.com , there are other ongoing and upcoming events which we will make efforts to cover here on our news page so stay tuned.
Futur Culture proudly presents the first edition of the their festival in a private home in Hiroo, Tokyo, from June 13 until June 19.
Futur Cultur is dedicated to show the positive power of art, film, sound, print, fashion and food to a greater audience and will do so with exhibitions, live screen printing, Magazine Library, a mini film festival, Charity Flea Market, a food art project and a special event night - all in a private home. It wants to create a platform for artists, designers, filmmakers and other creative people.
The festival will be dedicated to our Tohoku neighbors who have lost their homes in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and the tsunami. All proceeds with be donated to the Tohoku region. Futur Cultur welcome everyone to their home to support Tohoku!
Lately there have been a lot of exciting news going on for one of our artists, Lactose Intoler-Art. Recently, a Lactose Intoler-Art tote bag design was featured in two different issues of FRUITS magazine. FRUITS is a street fashion magazine based in Japan that captures photographs of unique people on the streets there. The tote bag was worn by Tavuchi, the owner of the famous “Spank!” used clothing shops.
After sending a “Spank!” inspired necklace to Tavuchi, she was happy to walk the streets of Harajuku sporting it, and be photographed by street fashion photographers around Tokyo. Tokyo Fashion (www.tokyofashion.com) was one of the first to take pictures of Tavuchi, and to post it online featuring Tavuchi’s unique style and Lactose Intoler-Art’s new online store.
In the meantime, Lactose Intoler-Art continues to update us with new art and vintage items to his online shops, and is creating new work as well. In fact, this new illustration has never been seen before, and Made With Japan will be the first to show it. The illustration is inspired by recent trends in Tokyo, including high platform shoes, sheer skirts, and the mixing of bold patterns. Lactose Intoler-Art is currently donating work through Art Drive Japan, Made with Japan’s effort to support Japan after the earthquake of 3.11 as well as other various charities. Future plans for the brand is to continue creating new work, and to go back to Tokyo later this year.
Be sure and check out Lactose Intoler-Art’s at the following links.
On 3.11.2011 an insurmountable earthquake of magnitude 9.0 hits the northeast shore of Japan.
The fourth largest earthquake in the world, the largest one yet in Japan.
The earthquake was followed by a tsunami, hundreds of aftershocks, and a nuclear crisis at hand due to damaged nuclear reactors in Fukushima.
The death-count and number of people missing exceeds 27,000.
Damage estimates up to $309 billion, the largest ever caused by a natural disaster.
We would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have been taken by this disaster. We hope that those who survived will be strong enough to carry on with the reconstruction of Japan. In this time of need, we established Art Drive Japan to stand by these people to help restore their well-being and their communities.
What is Art Drive Japan charity art auction?
Art Drive Japan is an online auction of work donated by artists from around the world, joining hands to contribute to the relief and recovery efforts in Japan. By purchasing our creations, you are joining us and many others in our cause.
Art Drive Japan was established to encourage continued support for the earthquake-tsunami victims. The funds raised will help the physical recovery over the coming months and years. In addition, your participation will send a very positive message to the people of Japan, letting them know that the world continues to cheer for them.
100% of the proceeds (final sales minus transaction fees) will be donated to the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund administered by JCIE Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) to help Japan recover from the catastrophic earthquake that took place on March 11, 2011.
Art Drive Japanは、2011年3月11日に日本を襲った未曾有の東北関東大震災で被災された方々を応援しようという、アーティストたちによるオンラインオークションです。私たちの作品をお買い上げいただくことで、被災地の支援につながります。
売り上げは、クレジットカード決済の手数料を除いて、日本国際交流センター（JCIE）が設立した「東日本大震災 NGO支援国際基金」を通じて、全て被災地に義捐金として寄付いたします。
Art Drive Japanの任務
Art Drive Japanの目的は、2011年3月11日に起こった東北関東大震災で被害に遭われた方々のために、義捐金を送ることです。日本の記録では史上最大規模と なるマグニチュード９．０という大地震は、戦後もっとも大きな災害となりました。日本政府やメディアは既に、多数の被災者、また経済への打撃を報告してい ます。今後、日本に住む皆さんが、被災地復興に向けて強い力を発揮できることを祈っています。
Hello everyone. Made with Japan continue to hope that all of you and your loved ones are safe as well as hope that the situation in Japan will only get better.
As many of you may have already heard, Made with Japan has been holding a charity t-shirt campaign to help aid in the relief efforts of the earthquake. We thank those of you who donated through us or directly to a charitable organization.
However, we are now working to start and be a part of something greater as we would like to make contributions in the largest way possible. We are currently calling the help of artists, fashion designers, crafts people all around the world to participate in an online charity auction project we named “Art Drive” Japan. We will launch as soon as we have works ready to be auctioned so please standby. I wish that you and your friends will join us.
-Allan (Made with Japan)
“ART DRIVE” Japan is an online auction of works donated by artists who have joined hands in order to contribute to the relief and future recovery efforts of Japan. By purchasing our art, you are working together with the artists to benefit this cause.
100% proceeds aside from transaction fees by paypal will be donated to the Japan Red Cross in order to help Japan recover from the catastrophic earthquake which took place on March 11, 2011.
We have contacted artists to come to the rescue and will open the auction once their artwork is ready. In the meantime please share this information along to those who might be interested. We hope that all of you will reach out to lend a helping hand. ARTISTS: If you are an artist and would like to get involved, you can start by pledging your artwork to [pledge.artdrive @ gmail.com] or by going here http://www.artdrivejapan.com/artist-contact/. We will consider and review all inquiries to all forms of art including but not limited to fashion, crafts, prints, photography, et cetera.
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE - “GENKIDAMA” Saves the world, please click!
Weekly manga publisher Shueisha teams up with Toriyama Akira, the legendary manga and anime creator behind all-time favorites such as the Dragon Ball series and Dr. Slump Arare posted a Youtube video message to call support for the victims of the earthquake in Japan.
All you have to do is watch the video and money will be donated for the relief effort. Click the link below.
This is a resource page on ways you can help support the Japan earthquake relief effort. We hope that you will let your friends know about it as well. Together, we can make a difference.
UPDATE 3/17/2011:
Made with Japan has been holding a charity t-shirt campaign from this page to help aid in the relief efforts of the earthquake. The $425.49 raised through this campaign was donated to the American Red Cross. We are ending this campaign and thank those of you who donated through us or directly to a charitable organization.
However, we are now working hard to be a part of something greater because we would like to make contributions in the largest ways possible and extend help for the long-term recovery. We are calling the help of artists, fashion designers, crafts people all around the world to participate in the online charity auction initiative, “Art Drive” Japan. I wish that you and your friends will join us. http://www.artdrivejapan.madewithjapan.com
Hi everybody. As most of you may know already, the devastating effects of the largest recorded earthquake in recent history of Japan, continues to injure and take the lives of many. There is no doubt that aid is needed right now during the aftermath.
As a way to help, 100% of profits from all sales of Made with Japan hand-printed t-shirts will be contributed to organizations directly involved in the earthquake and tsunami relief effort. I hope that our support will make a difference, as well as raise more awareness that everybody’s contributions even in the smallest amount will make a huge difference collectively. Remember, a million people contributing a mere $1 becomes a million dollars, $2 becomes $2 million.
To make this as simple as possible for you, the t-shirts are priced at $35 including shipping and taxes. The actual shipping costs will vary and we will subtract that amount as well as other costs from the donation . If you wish to make additional contributions, you may do so by clicking the “Additional Donations” button.
All payments are securely processed through PayPal. All major credit cards acccepted.
However please remember, the people in need will benefit more if you donate DIRECTLY to reputable organizations. It’s faster that way, and the money won’t get wasted in costs, transaction fees, and shipping. In all honesty, we urge you to do this rather than donate through Made with Japan. Please comment below to share yours thoughts and what you’ve done to help.
UPDATE: PLEASE BEWARE OF FAKE CHARITIES AND SCAMS ON THE INTERNET
It’s sad but true, there are lurking con artists that will try to capitalize on the goodwill of sincere people like you who are looking to help. The FBI has issued a scam warning for Japanese disaster.
With that said, we encourage that you make donations only to reputable organizations that we know the money will be used for the proposed purpose. If you wish to donate directly, below is a list of trusted relief organizations.
HOW TO SUPPORT JAPAN RELIEF EFFORTS
Make a difference by donating to Japan relief efforts.
You can check which organizations are reliable yourself here. http://charitynavigator.org/
The Red Cross
Accepting donations online and via text messages. To donate $10 to support their relief efforts, simply text REDCROSS to 90999 or visit them
Raise awareness (free) Everybody can help without any cost to you. Please share this page or any other reliable resources to encourage people to help support the 2011 Japan earthquake relief.
If you are part of social networks such as facebook or twitter, or are part of an organization with a mailing list, please share resource pages such as this to raise awareness on how your contacts can help in the effort as well.
HELPFUL SERVICES AND WEBSITES Please share information here that you find relevant.
Free Interpretation Service
Free telephone service to interpret English, Chinese, Korean available 24 hours a day. Portuguese and Spanish from 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.. this isn’t an emergency information service.
Google Person Finder for 2011 Japan Earthquake
If you are looking for someone in Japan and currently can’t make contact or would like to leave information about someone.
http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en
Crisis Response
Google providing the information regarding the disaster and damage with realtime updates.
http://www.google.co.jp/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
NHK TV messaging service
If you want to send a message to someone where all phone lines are down, NHK will broadcast your message on their TV service. The numbers on which to place your message are 03 5452 8800, or 050 3369 9680.
Facebook App to instantly see status update of your friends in Japan
Use this app to see at one glance the latest status update of all of your friends who have their current location set to Japan.
このアプリはFacebook上の居住地を日本国内に設定している友達の最新の近況を一覧表示させます。
http://keito.me/safety/
地震ニュース生中継NHK公式放送。(日本語) http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-gtv
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-gtv2 ←iPhone/iPad対応です
I would like to re-emphasize that, our ultimate goal is to maximize aid and minimize casualties. I sincerely urge you to share this and any other organizations for the same cause with your family and friends in your networks. http://bit.ly/eFjK3u
We as citizens of our planet collectively hold the potential to make the impossible possible, or the possible impossible.
The choice is ours and it can all start with the choice you make.
-Made with Japan
Please not that we will be shipping these items only once a week so please be patient while your order is being processed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
All sizes are mens but smaller and more fitted than your average mens t-shirts. All sales are final.
Tsumori Chisato’s sense of fun and bohemian cuteness in fashion never fails to dazzle the runway. Her 2011 A/W collection made use of an array of colors and patterns from the tunic dresses, knitted leotards, and culottes which appeal to a wide audience of different age groups.
Arashi Yanagawa, the designer behind John Lawrence Sullivan is not your typical designer. Following in his father’s footsteps, Arashi Yanagawa spent thirteen years in professional boxing before making way into the fashion world. As a reference to his first career, the brand name comes from a pro boxing legend John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), the first heavyweight champion in the history of boxing from 1881 to 1892.
The brand’s beginning was humble, starting out in 2003 with Arashi Yanagawa using his fight money to release his first collection of two blazers. Gaining popularity with his Men’s and Women’s lines, John Lawrence Sullivan appeared on the runway for the first time in 2007 at the Tokyo fashion week which was then followed by a flagship store in Nakameguro Tokyo.
Sleek silhouettes and fine tailoring using refined fabrics, is one obvious way to describe the qualities of John Lawrence Sullivan’s collections, but there is no doubt that the designer’s strong will and enthusiasm towards fashion adds a whole new dimension to the designs. Dazed Digital asked what his career change was like and if boxing still influences him:
“I never went to fashion school, it was very hard at the beginning but my friends understood my enthusiasm in fashion and supported me, so I’ve learnt by them so many things.”
“It’s natural that I am influenced by boxing”, “because I practiced boxing for so many years. The most important and biggest influence is the spirit to keep challenging myself.” - Arashi Yanagawa
Arashi Yanagawa is already a huge inspiration to many young fashion designers in Japan getting ready to break ground to a new era of Japanese fashion. His existence is especially encouraging to the new generation of Japanese designers who like him do not have formal degrees in fashion design.
With their 2010-11 F/W collection, John Lawrence Sullivan bid farewell to Tokyo to set ground in Paris. They made their runway debut with F/W 2011 Men’s collection at the Paris Fashion Week.
Some of the highlights from Yohji Yamamoto’s 2011 A/W collection were the flower and feather prints on black mesh, sheer woven tops, red coats, and hoop skirts. The visible cage under the skirts added a unique flavor to the overall punk theme styled with Dr. Martens and colorful cotton candy hair!
Let me guess what you’re thinking right now about the hair. It kind of remind you of those rainbow hair russ troll dolls doesn’t it?
Yohji Yamamoto was heard saying backstage after his 2011 A/W show addressing the youth of today, “I felt, in this moment, we need flower power,” he said. “But at the same time, we need young people’s anger.”
I totally agree with him if he means that anger can be a much stronger and propulsive emotion than “flower power.” In the context of Yohji Yamamoto, anger is what may have fueled his accomplishments in creating beautiful and revolutionary fashion.
You can see the full Yohji Yamamoto 2011 A/W Collection and review written by Meenal Mistry on Style.com
Tebori is a traditional method of hand tattooing which arose in the late 18th and early 19th century in Japan. The word Tebori comes from the word “te” meaning “hand” and “hori”, meaning “to carve or sculpt.” The shaft of the tebori tool rests on the thumb of the left hand and the needles are inserted by forward movement of the right arm. Unlike many other forms of hand-tattooing in Asia such as tatau or moko, no assistants are required for tebori.
Hori-Hiro has been continuing this tradition for over 20 years since becoming a tattoo artist. Before tattooing, Hori-Hiro worked as a motorbike mechanic. He now runs a small tattoo studio in Fukushima, a rural part of Japan approximately 2 hours up north from Tokyo by train. Hiro uses both the Japanese tebori technique as well as the western-style machine. However, he prefers the traditional Japanese style, and continues in order to keep this tradition alive. It is said that with tebori, the artist is able to create subtle gradations of tone that are difficult to achieve with a machine. Tebori takes much longer to perform and requires the hori-shi (tattoo artist) to be experienced in this technique, but the results are amazing.
This video shot by Marc Pinto and directed by Steven Guzman for Primitive Tatto, shows the tebori technique and some of Hori-Hiro’s work.
You can also check out his website for more info.
1F 5-13-7 Saikon Koriyama Fukushima 963-8862 Japan
Tel: 024-991-8558［10:00〜19:00］
http://www.hori-hiro-japan.com
Industry Films and Citizen Jones created Tokyo Glow, the journey of a man who comes to life from a street signal to take a walk around the night of Tokyo.
“Written and directed by Jonathan Bensimon and produced by Jonas Bell Pasht, Tokyo/Glow follows the nighttime journey of an illuminated man from a crosswalk sign as he embarks on an adventure through the streets of Tokyo. Shot on location throughout Tokyo using thousands of individual digital stills… To achieve the striking effect of the illuminated man, an original light suit was constructed using hundreds of feet of high-voltage LED rope lights and a translucent nylon outer shell. ”
The video is in high-definition, please enjoy in full screen.
RECONSTRUCTION CHADELIER Specification
year : 2011
material : gilded steel (24k) . gilded steel wire(24k)
size : W600mm x D600mm x H330mm
weight : 4kg
Kyouei Design reveals their first work to come out of 2011, the “Reconstruction Chandelier.” This Chandelier is made from 12 industrial clip lamps which were welded together, then gilded for finishing. As you will see in one of the pictures below, the original clip lamps used to create the chandelier was one of the creations we saw in 2010.
PROFILE
Kyouei Design is a Japanese design company in Shizuoka City, Japan lead by product designer / sound producer Kouichi Okamoto. They manufacture the products they design including interior, lighting, and various other cleverly designed works.
Kouichi Okamoto was born in 1970 in Shizuoka City, Japan. Under the name “bekkou” Okamoto released the sound source work “Hi Light” from Dutch techno label X-trax in 1997 and other Dutch and British labels since. He began product design work in 2004 and established Kyouei Design company in 2006.
PREVIOUS WORKS
Here are some of my favorite items from Kyouei Design’s works made prior to the reconstruction chandelier. Most are still available for purchase on their website.
Top: “Liquid Bookmark” is made one by one with rubber and when used looks like it is melting.
Bottom: “Endless Rain Record” is a real phonograph record which plays rain sounds and the sound of rain drops forever.
While I was flipping through the pamphlet for the Tokyo Graphic Passport 2010 exhibition in October, I came across an interesting artist. Her name is Yoriko Yoshida and her concept according to the website is, “Producing Art Works based on the concept of 「艶やか-ADEYAKA」(It means “sensual”) vigorously.-In an attempt to visualize the Asian Culture, mixed with Japaneas culture, Chinese culture and more.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t make her days at the show, but found a lot of amazing work on her website and thought I would share with you.
An amazing feat of Yoriko is her discipline and diligence as an artist, which is evident by looking at the amount of work she has up- an astonishing 1460 works and counting up. Since beginning back in 2007, Yoriko has been updating her website with one artwork every day. http://workbook.yoriquo.com/
Made with Japan picked up her Asialphabet series, which consists of the roman alphabet drawn out of elements from Japanese culture. So when you’re ready to begin, we will walk you through Yoriko Yoshida’s Asialphabet.
アジアをテーマでイラストレーションを描く、吉田 依子氏による、「アジアルファベット」は日本文化のモチーフをアルファベットに描いたあるプァベットです。彼女はGraphic Passport Exhibition 2010のパンフレットで発見しました。私がGraphic Passportへ行った日はグループが入れ代わっていて、作品実物は見れなかったのが残念でしたが、これがきっかけで、吉田さんのウェブサイト「Yoriko Yoshi Workbook」http://workbook.yoriquo.com/ を伺いました。驚いたのが、企画として2007年から１日１枚、1年365枚アートをサイトに更新し続けている事。この中で発見したのがAsialphabetのシリーズ。日本の伝統といえるアイテムがアルファベットの形に見えるように描いてあって、かわいいです。
PLAY COMME des GARÇONS new t-shirts from Summer 2011 collection. Available in red and black as well as a first release of a gold version. I dare you stare into the PLAY heart logo creature’s eyes.
Another COMME des GARÇONS team-up with Converse for PLAY COMME des GARÇONS x Jack Purcell double name sneakers with the black PLAY heart logo. Watch carefully for these on the streets as they will be very limited and available near the end of this month, only at select stores including Athens’ Number 3.
My next stop was Kojima in Okayama. This town has a rich history of textile manufacturing and has become known to be the “mecca of Japanese denim.” The original denim artisans of Japan who first saw denim during WWII are still alive and doing their thing!
Brandon from Lactose Intoler-Art, was kind enough to allow Made with Japan present the first showing of his new illustrations. His characters are interpretations of Tokyo street fashion and real people on the streets of Tokyo. This season, they are dressed to stay warm in their unique style!
Lactose Intoler-Art is an artist who uses illustrations as a way to communicate street fashion trends and fashionable people from around the world. Falling in love with the underground street fashion culture of Tokyo, his main focus has become capturing the essence of the scene here. Lactose Intoler-Art accomplishes this through transforming what he interprets into his form of character art, often combining it to real photos from the streets of Tokyo.
You can visit his blog at http://lactoseintolerart.blogspot.com/
Made with Japanの新メンバーでもあるイラストレーター、Lactose Intoler-Artさんの新作をここで初公開させて頂きました。東京のストリートファッションスナップからインスピレーションを受けて描かれているキャラクターは、今期のトレンドと彼の想像を合わせて表現しています。
One of the most influential street-wear labels of this decade to come out of Japan, A Bathing Ape, will be sold to Hong Kong clothing company, I.T. Ltd.. It made the news this past week that a 90% stake of Nowhere Co., the parent company of BAPE will be sold for a mere $2.8 million, an amount Nigo has easily spent on his collection of toys. What’s going on?
BAPE was founded by Nigo (Tomoaki Nagao) in 1993, starting out as a small shop on a discrete location in one of Tokyo’s Harajuku backstreets. Nigo and Jun Takahashi, of the popular collection brand UNDERCOVER, started out here at a storefront they named Nowhere. They soon parted their ways to take the respective brands solo.
Quickly gaining a cult following, Nigo was able to maintain an underground image for BAPE even after reaching mainstream success and sold his brand to the masses on exclusivity by producing his designs in very limited quantities. Crowds of Bape-heads would wrap around the block to get their hands on a rare BAPE item.
This didn’t last forever though. BAPE’s popularity in Japan faded away as Nigo embarked on an expansion frenzy starting second-lines of BAPE, a cafe, art gallery, hair salon and reaching as far as branding commodity items like condoms. The BAPE logo and signature camouflage print were literally everywhere! These moves were part of Nigo’s vision to make BAPE a “lifestyle brand”, a concept which has been successfully implemented by brands like Ralph Lauren to a more mature audience. For BAPE, the consumers were beginning to feel the water-down effect.
However, the mid 2000’s was a turning point for BAPE as influences of hip-hop culture on Nigo came to the forefront and changed the way BAPE marketed themselves. BAPE was then embraced by American hip hop icons such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams which took BAPE to another level of international success.
So why the low price on the sale of Nigo’s empire of apes? According to the Wall Street Journal, Nowhere Co. had been suffering huge losses these past few years. “For the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2010, its net loss was 119 million yen, slightly better than a loss of 267.4 million yen the previous year. The company had liabilities totaling 1.03 billion yen in the year ended August 31.” (WSJ) The grand total racks up to a debt of ¥2.6 billion, the loan for it which will be guaranteed by I.T..
Nigo has agreed to stay as the creative director of Nowhere for two years, focusing on product design, brand direction and image development. It will be interesting to see what I.T. will do to try and put A BATHING APE in the black again, and even more interesting to see what moves Nigo will make after his two years are up.
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The V&A Museum in London will be hosting Japanese fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto’s first major solo show in the UK. The show will be an installation-based retrospective, showcasing over 80 women’s and menswear garments which are most representative of his work. The main exhibition space is scheduled to house his creations and a multi-media timeline which reveals Yamamoto’s wider creative output. The exhibition’s core will be housed in Gallery 38 with several satellite installations throughout the V&A and at the Wapping Project.
“The Victoria and Albert Museum presents one of the most influential and enigmatic fashion designers of the last forty years, Yohji Yamamoto. Yamamoto is a visionary designer who has made a vital contribution to fashion, challenging traditional norms of clothing with his avant-garde style. Fabric, he said, ‘is everything’. This deep interest in textiles is at the heart of his approach to design. Yamamoto became internationally renowned in the early eighties for challenging traditional notions of fashion by designing garments that seemed oversized, unfinished, played with ideas of gender or fabrics not normally used in fashionable attire such as felt or neoprene. Other works revealed Yamamoto’s unusual pattern cutting, knowledge of fashion history and sense of humour. His work is characterised by a frequent and skillful use of black, a color which he describes as ‘modest and arrogant at the same time’.” -V&A
It’s February, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! If you’re looking for a cute yet practical gift that will put a smile on his face, consider getting a pair of nice socks from Issey Miyake.
From January 20 to February 14, you can purchase a pair of socks by ISSEY MIYAKE (men) packed in a Special Valentine Package. The package design resembles that of a chocolate bar. The socks sorta looks like chocolate too, in my opinion. This offer is available only for men’s socks at Issey Miyake stores in Japan.
Issey, why nothing for the ladies? In Japan, Valentine’s day is typically a day when the ladies buy something for the men. We have what’s called “White Day,” for guys give to the girl. Although it isn’t as celebrated as Valentine’s, maybe he’ll come up with something for white day?
Issey Miyake started this special packaging campaign last year in 2010, and this year he is adding the red and white packaging option. If you look closely, the package says, “0% Cacao.” Mr. Miyake is yet to figure out a way to add cacao to his fabrics.
Date : June 13 - June 19, 2011
One of the most influential street-wear labels of this decade to come out of Japan, A Bathing Ape, will be sold to Hong Kong clothing company, I.T. Ltd.. It made the news this past week that a 90% stake of Nowhere Co., the parent company of BAPE will be sold for a mere $2.8 million, an amount Nigo has easily spent on his collection of toys. What’s going on?
