Blog

Japanese streetwear has become famous worldwide for fashion lovers due to its combination of elegance and contemporary urban looks. Cutting-edge designs, excellent artistry, and an experimental aspect of fashion inspire Japanese brands for streetwear clothing. In this article, we will shed light on the characteristics that have put Japanese streetwear on the map and tell you about some of the most remarkable brands!

What is Japanese Streetwear?

Japanese streetwear can be described as an active and, more importantly, ununiformed movement of fashion that originated on the concrete pavement of Japan’s capital in the second half of the twentieth century. Their clothing is pretty diverse, and they can wear anything, starting from minimalistic and functional clothing and ending up with provocative and outrageous outfits. Thus, Japanese clothing brands differ from their Western counterparts, streamlined to casual and athletic wear, while the Japanese type blends high fashion, traditions of Japan, and art-avant-garde manners.

Key features of Japanese streetwear include:

• Attention to Detail: About Japanese brands, it would be appropriate to note that the presentation of the products created by them is correlated with exceptional artistry and the use of qualitative components.
• Innovation: Fashion designers, as has been observed, do not confine themselves to adjusting the designs by and significance of clothing articles but explore new cuts, fabrics, and patterns.
• Cultural Fusion: Most brands fuse the old aspects of Japanese culture with modern urban looks, and this works more often than not.
• Narrative Designs: Narratives are re-embodied through garments, and attires presented in a collection are always linked to culture, history, or the designer’s story.

Japanese Streetwear Brands You Need To Know

Visvim

Image source: @visvimwmv

Jan-Michael consistently blends the tradition of Japanese workmanship with elements of modern urban wear. It is a brand that was started by Hiroki Nakamura and is characterized by unsurpassed detailed work, and exquisite crafting material. Depending on the seasons, Visvim’s clothes are inspired by vintage American east/west coast and Native American meets Japanese traditions, so its clothing never goes out of fashion.

Blue Blue Japan

Image source: @blue_blue_japan

Blue Blue Japan, another company serving the niche, founded in 1996, focuses on selling indigo clothing. An exemplary method is traditional Japanese dyeing, which provides peculiar textures and patterns of the clothes, making them beautiful and environmentally friendly in equal measure. Because Blue Blue Japan is thoroughly inspired by craftsmanship, every or every collection produced bears the sign of quality that connoisseurs of artistry adore in apparel.

Goldwin

Image source: goldwin/Instagram

Image source: goldwin/Instagram

Goldwin was established as a sportswear company in 1950, but it is now an upscale brand specializing in apparel, such as outdoor technical wear. While emphasizing utility, Goldwin’s Garments are fashionable clothes suitable for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The brand’s application of superior fabrics and environment-friendly processes also reveals its novelty and exceptionalism.

SOPHNET

Image source: sophnet/Instagram

Image source: sophnet/Instagram

SOPHNET, a streetwear-related clothing brand hailed in 1998 by Hirofumi Kiyonaga, is represented by Off White and continues the tradition of uniting streetwear elements with modern fashion trends. As a brand synonymous with less is more and elegant simplicity, SOPHNET’s collection speaks for itself. The brand produces garments that can be seamlessly integrated into any consumer’s daily look. The brand works with other brands and designers, incorporating new points of view and items into the brand’s style.

NonNative

Image source: nonnative/Instagram

Image source: nonnative/Instagram

Nonnative is another Korean brand established in 2001 by Satoshi Saffen. It sells functional and minimalistic fashion apparel. Nonnative focuses on functionality—the garments are made with references to workwear and items used outdoors. Its collections are usually minimalist, and the brand applies neutral colors, simple shapes, and premium fabrics.

White Mountaineering

Image source: white mountaineering/Instagram

White Mountaineering is a brand initiated in 2006 by Yosuke Aizawa that has tried amalgamating Japanese artistry with modernity. It is famous for the sportswear it designs for outdoor use, much of which is equally fashionable. Some of the clothing designs include the use of new and creative fabric, new and distinct patterns, and detail work, among others.

Nanamica

Image source: nanamica/Instagram

Image source: nanamica/Instagram

Nanamica is a Japanese store that means House of the Seven Seas and was opened by Eiichiro Homma in 2003. The brand’s goal is to produce clothing that can be considered classic and, at the same time, has a very long lifespan. Specializing in technical apparel, technology is utilized in the product’s quality fabrics and construction to develop clothing that is not only functional but fashionable.

Yohji Yamamoto

Image source: yohji yamamoto/Instagram

Image source: yohji yamamoto/Instagram

Currently, an active theorist of the avant-garde, Yohji Yamamoto is an original designer who has influenced the fashion world. His namesake label, established in 1981, is recognized for its oversize frames, monotonous shades, and ‘thrown together’ look. Yohji Yamamoto’s clothing designs are considered fashion sculptures or paintings, combining elements of Japan and Europe.

BEAMS

Image source: beams/Instagram

BEAMS is one of the most famous Japanese fashion brands, operating on an online platform for clothes and accessories and various collaborations. The company was set up in 1976 and offers a variety of products within casual, modern, and smart-relaxed segments. This indicates that the brand’s creativity and fashion-savvy collections propel it as a leading fashion brand worldwide.

Bape

Image source: bape/Instagram

Bathing Ape (Bape) is a world-famous streetwear brand established by Nigo in 1993. Aape head and face logo and recent camo patterns give a design of streetwear that has attracted clientele all over the globe. It has also helped that the brand has daring designs and highly sought-after collaborations that place it firmly in the streetwear category.

Undercover

Image source: undercover_official/Instagram

Image source: undercover_official/Instagram

Brand Undercover is one of the latest brands designed by Jun Takahashi that combines avant-garde styles with punk rock. The brand was introduced in 1990 and has since made its name through its rebellious nature, unique ideas, and the messages it portrays through its clothes. The current trend of mixing high fashion with streetwear is still an effect of Undercover’s creativity and capacity for trend-influencing.

And Wander

Image source: andwander/Instagram

To be specific, Wander is a clothing brand that focuses on trendy-looking apparel made for outdoor activities. Founded by Keita Ikeuchi and Mihoko Mori, the brand employs technical materials and integrates design with durability and protection against harsh weather conditions. Wander’s pieces are suitable for both city and venturesome hiking.

Neighborhood

Image source: neighborhood/Instagram

Neighborhood is another clothing brand created by Shinsuke Takizawa in 1994. Its main influences are motorcycle culture and the sleek military style. The Neighborhood is also well known for its shrimp and rugged clothes, specifically targeting streetwear and accessories lovers. Due to its general focus on quality artistry and detailing, Neighborhood stands out among Japanese fashion labels.

Needles

Image source: highsnobiety

Needles can be classified under the umbrella of Nepenthes, and Keizo Shimizu is the founder. The brand became famous due to its bohemian and retro styles. Some of the Needles’ Needles’ are quite cutting-edge, including daring patterns and bright colors and experimenting with silhouettes while revealing the spirit of both Western and Japanese cultures.

Conclusion

Japanese street brands thus revolutionized conventional streetwear fashion with their creativity in design, quality craft, and distinctive looks. Whether one prefers the complete simplicity of an essential Training Uniform T, the outspokenness of Wacko Maria, or the experimental orientalness of Yohji Yamamoto, everyone can find their perfect streetwear brand in Japan. These brands are today’s pioneers in what streetwear fashion will be like in the coming months; they also embrace Japanese cultural heritage.