Top 5 Japanese Street Clothing Brands

Japanese Street Clothing Brands When modern Japanese style made a splash on European runways, it was either considered a travesty or the most exciting thing to happen to fashion in years. Since then, the scene has diversified to include a broad range of styles and influences.

Taking cues from Western workwear, Chitose Abe’s Sacai blurs the line between casual and formal. Their oversized silhouettes are especially popular with the younger generation of locals.

Commes des Garcons Japanese Street Clothing Brands

Japanese Street Clothing Brands Founder Rei Kawakubo established the label in Tokyo in 1975, with a store whose minimalist interiors featured nothing but pipe racks and plain white walls (Vogue dubbed it ‘the anti-fashion boutique’). Her unapologetic rejection of traditional femininity has led her designs to become as influential and groundbreaking as any other in fashion history.

Her Homme Plus line is the gender-opposite parallel to Kawakubo’s OG brand, offering deconstructed, outlandish fashion for the dandy peacocks of the world. Junya Watanabe’s menswear collection follows a similar set of principles, using patchwork techniques and tartans to deconstruct everyday silhouettes.

CDG is the diffusion line of Kawakubo’s avant-garde vision – think black and white with playful graphics. Designer Kei Ninomiya studied French literature, and his intimate salon shows and fabric manipulations have made the line a cult favorite.

TOKKOU

Japanese Street Clothing Brands Tokkou is a Japanese brand that draws influence from Bosozoku, a youth subculture. Its name, which means special attack clothing, is derived from the Japanese word tokko-fukku. The brand’s unique collection includes selvedge denim that has been carefully crafted in Japan to meet exact specifications.

Jun Takahashi’s label NOWHERE was one of the early forerunners of this movement, as it combined androgynous backstreet styles with Western influences. Later, he launched PLAY, which became a cult brand thanks to a long-running collaboration with Converse that saw the shoe stamped with the label’s bug-eyed heart logo.

Rei Kawakubo’s avant-garde brand COMME des Garcons has also influenced streetwear, with its offbeat designs and twisted takes on classic shapes. Her newest label, PLAY, is her attempt to reach a younger audience with her weird and wonderful style.

Cav Empt Japanese Street Clothing Brands

Japanese Street Clothing Brands Founded by Sk8thing and Toby Feltwell, Cav Empt (or C.E) is the brand behind the graphics for A Bathing Ape, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. They’re also known for their unique use of imagery and symbols. Specifically, recurrent themes include science-fiction and dystopia.

The name “Caveat Emptor” is a Latin phrase that means, “let the buyer beware.” It’s an appropriate motto for this label, which takes a wearable social commentary approach to streetwear. Besides their embroidered graphics, the shirts and outerwear from this cult brand have an experimental feel that puts them apart from other streetwear labels. They’re also not afraid to experiment with materials or styles. The result is a modern, retro-futuristic look. KITH, XOXO Gallery and RSVP Gallery are some of the boutiques that stock their collections.

HARE

Taking inspiration from Japanese history and culture, HARE creates flowy silhouettes with an oversized look. Their clothing is popular among the Harajuku locals and their flagship store “Paradise Tokyo” can be found on Cat Street in Harajuku.

Another OG brand to come from the Urahara movement is BAPE, which has become a fashion icon worldwide. Their designs are edgy and rebellious, and they’ve been worn by many hip-hop artists.

NEIGHBORHOOD is also another one of the OG streetwear brands from Japan, and they’re known for their oversized silhouettes. The brand fuses workwear and military style with music and art influences to create its unique aesthetic.

UNDERCOVER

Founded by Jun Takahashi, Undercover represents the edgier side of streetwear. Drawing inspiration from punk culture, their clothes are designed to disrupt. Their pieces are a fusion of old and new styles. Takahashi has been influenced by avant-garde designer Rei Kawakubo and punk designer Vivienne Westwood. The brand was established in 1989 and has become a global sensation. They have collaborated with Nike, Supreme and Uniqlo.

NEIGHBORHOOD is another Japanese brand that has a strong streetwear influence. Its designs are influenced by London punk, utilitarian and military style. Its oversized silhouettes and graphic prints have made it one of the most popular streetwear brands in the world.

Visvim is another brand that specializes in streetwear. Originally a footwear company, Hiroki Nakamura’s clothing line is inspired by his trips to American thrift stores. The brand’s unique materials and labor-intensive production methods are what sets it apart from other streetwear brands.