Monthly Archives: January 2008

I’ve been hearing about it for quite some time now, but in person, it was inescapable.  Even when I was here a year ago, it was dead obvious, and compared to all the years I’ve been coming here since 2000, glaringly so.  Streetwear is most certainly dying in Japan.  And I don’t mean “dying” as American streetsnobs like to reference streetwear’s death by its mainstream success and explosion.  I mean “dying” as in DYING.

Long gone are Japan’s glory days of ’99.  Yes, Neighborhood, Visvim, Wtaps, are strong and steady, and Bape is in a category all its own.  But aside from that, American streetwear is all but a rarity and alternative domestic brands are equally scarce.  Most of the streetwear retailers I talked to this past week echoed these sentiments, shaking their heads and emitting sighs.  There were even several prominent stores which had boarded up their windows.  A distant memory of Tokyo’s streetwear boom at the turn of the millenium.

But that just means a door’s closed, and another window is bound to open.  And as is notorious from within Japanese culture, they’re just waiting on the next big thing to be flipped and enhanced.  They’ll patiently watch us, and then once more, we’ll end up watching them do what we did, …but better.  So give it some time folks, because it won’t be long ’til you’re nipping at their heels again.

by bobbyhundreds

As great as the Bape headquarters are, my favorite stores in Japan actually aren’t adorned with the apeface. Every year it’s something different, but this year, the most rewarding experience was found in Jun Takahashi’s Undercover store. Unfortunately, I don’t have photos of the interior, but the basement is a dizzying hodgepodge of artsy fartsy, vintage ornate furniture, bizarre installations, a makeshift runway projection.. and that’s even before you get to the clothing.

Last year, my topshop was Loveless, which is still a serious contender. I was happy to see that Sean and Marcus got some priority placement in the store with Rockers NYC. Half the staff was decked in the apparel as well, and the bright colors were an effective contrast to Loveless’ Pirates-of-the-Carribean-esque motif.

How convenient. Goyard right upstairs from Loveless.

Inside another Bape store in the Aoyama-Minami district. This one operates off bouncing mirrors to add depth to space, and a smart sneaker room that I can’t do justice with words. A nice touch is the stairwell to the top floor where the Ape camo plastered on the walls gradually transitions into a solid, darker plane.

In the same vein of themed retail experiences, the Original Fake shop is another fantastic voyage.

The first thing you run into is the massive KAWS statue, and sure, it’s easy to get fixated on this guy. But if you’re ever in this shop, touch the walls. Go into the dressing room to watch KAWS animated shorts within the mirrors. Just some of the countless well-executed details that in sum, add up to nothing short of captivating.

Hey Tony. Look.

by bobbyhundreds

Everyone has a decided opinion on A Bathing Ape, but as far as I’m concerned, they have some of the most interestingly designed stores in Japan (the international locations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, etc. are also largely impressive, yet in my opinion, not as strong or strategic as the Japanese bases). Whenever I come to Tokyo, I make it a point to stop by the Harajuku Busy Work Shop, but this time, I was greeted with:

I guess the Ape had migrated (and upgraded to a rockabilly coif as well).

So over on the other side of Harajuku, away from the nauseating streetwear retail hysteria, directly next door to an elementary school and tucked behind a residential neighborhood, this behemoth was beheld.

3 floors of Bape, and all it’s sub-labels for men, women, and children.

Depending on which side of the building you enter, this is either the basement or the first floor, showcasing most of the women’s range, Apee and the like. For those who don’t know the story behind the phrase “A Bathing Ape,” here’s another piece to the puzzle.

The second floor’s facade is structured similarly to the first, also capitalizing on monochromatic tiles, fluorescent lighting, and glass, except displaying the men’s product, as well as accessories.

If you walk out the side-door, you end up in this limbo room, and your stairway to heaven.

This is the best part. The entire space has a nostalgic American ’50s diner feel thanks to the stainless steel and neon fixtures, but collaged with a variety of unexpected textures, like stone slabs, and wood.

The top floor masquerades as an East Coast veranda, while inside, it’s a Hawaiian theme.

Cool.

by bobbyhundreds