NEIGHBORHOOD x EFFECTOR “Big Tramp” Glasses

Having previously worked with Japanese eyewear maker EFFECTOR on the “Tramp” model, this season NEIGHBORHOOD changes from the classic silhouette to an over sized version, dubbed “Big Tramp”. These new frames will come in different lens options of clear, smoke and blue tint.

Crazy Pig Designs x Neighborhood Skull Ring

Here is another great project to come from Neighborhood having teamed up with London based jewellers, Crazy Pig Designs. Full of reference to the origin of both entities these skull rings are based on one of Crazy Pig’s earliest designs and is defined by the double branding and slight reinterpretation. Hand crafted in Crazy Pig Design’s London workshop, the ring is limited to just 90 pieces and is available exclusively at Neighborhood stores.

Sneaker Tokyo Vol. 2 Hiroshi Fujiwara

From the people who brought you SHOE-MASTER the magazine, Sneaker Tokyo enters its second volume with a focus on the venerable Hiroshi Fujiwara of fragment design. The book will go into detail Hiroshi Fujiwara’s archives of sneakers owned and designed as well as interview with Mark Parker of Nike and Hiroki Nakamura of visvim.
[Sneaker Tokyo vol.2 "Hiroshi Fujiwara"]
Written and Edited by SHOES MASTER
Sneaker Tokyo is a book brought to you from the makers of sneaker magazine, SHOES MASTER. This second volume is a complete feature on Hiroshi Fujiwara, who has continued for many years to shape sneaker trends in Tokyo. You will find a comprehensive archive of around 200 pairs of the shoes Hiroshi Fujiwara has chosen, worn and created, from models from the 80s such as Dunk, Air Jordan and Superstar, to more recent models from HTM, visvim and Tennis Classic. What’s more, you will also find interviews with people like Nike CEO, Mark Parker and Hiroki Nakamura from visvim, and a special long interview with Hiroshi Fujiwara himself. 160 pages all in colour. Fully bilingual edition: Japanese and English.

W)Taps Spring/Summer 2010 ‘96-69′ Collection

W)Taps release a look at their 2010 Spring/Summer Collection entitled ‘96-69′. The brand has evolved over the past few years, while its philosophy has stayed the same, its aesthetic has moved more away from its military roots and towards a blend of Punk and 50’s Jazz.

RATS 2010 Spring/Summer Lookbook

RATS, one of the labels that the renowned Tetsuya Nishiyama of WTAPS works on has launched their Spring/Summer 2010. The collection is a great homage to vintage wear with obvious influence from Americana with and even more evident theme of bowling and automobile.

Visvim SERRA VEGGIE

Visvim has updated their online exclusive scheme with their popular hiking boot style, the SERRA. The SERRA VEGGIE features vegetable tanned leathers, as the name suggests, with a cork footbed. A pigment-free cowhide lining offers outstanding breathability. Coming in an all black colorway, the boot is a solid choice for the everyday trek.

KAWS X Wonderwall Vinyl Figure

KAWS continues to add new figures to his ever growing arsenal, this time collaborating with Masamichi Katayam and his company Wonderwall, the company responsible for the Original Fake, Tokyo store, amongst so many other high profile stores, from BAPE to colette. The outcome is a pair of figures which reflect the relationship between the two, having begun when Wonderwall designed the Original Fake store in Tokyo. The brick wall finish that is finsihed well in two different colors makes for a really great release. The figure will come in 2 versions and measures 22cm in height when it releases February 2010.

Original Fake Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

For some reason the conversation around the success of KAW’s Original Fake brand seems to come up time and time again. The ability to mix fashion and art this deliberately and yet it works. It certainly seems to work in terms of its popularity, and perhaps thats due to the way KAW’s art has been integrated into the garments, its subtle, but obvious enough to make it worthwhile, and of course off the back of all that is the souring career of the New York based artist. The artists work is Pop in it’s most raw form, it appeals to everyone in one way or another, its accepted in the fine art world as genuinely high brow, and yet can appeal to the street art scene given its roots, and to younger enthusiasts, Original Fake even gives younger fans a chance to own something with the KAW’s stamp on it before they can enter the fine art market. The clothing is the same in a micro form, there are tee shirts with obvious art work printed, then there are cashmere sweaters with more subtle branding. This Spring/Summer continues along those lines, something for everyone without stepping outside of any boundaries, it could be considered safe, but as its been said by some of the greats, men should dress not to be noticed but to be respected.

Kaws Dissected Companion 4 Feet Black Version | Release

While the 4 foot tall figure released at Original Fake’s Tokyo Flagship mid December, kawsone.com is back with this much in demand sculpture as its first online release for 2010. The last in the series of Original Fake 4 foot dissected companions, this could be your last chance too.. price will be the usual US$6000 when it goes on sale. kawsone.com has over the years become famous for its quick sell out’s.

Goro's

Goro Takahashi (born in 1939 Tokyo)



“I’ll never be satisfied with my works, which push me to make the next one better, someday I found some work which I am satisfied, it’s the end of Goro’s.”
“A Silver work could last and existed over thousands years, I am very proud to have my work stay in the world even if I had passed away.”
“Silver has its own spirit, we could find something on it that money cannot buy everyone should wear something like this, there might be some reasons for us to meet them.”
“No advertising, merely small amount handiwork.”
“It’s not only about silver, it’s art.”
No website, only one physical shop in Tokyo.
Legend, Mystery, Rare!!



Biography

-went to Navajo in the United States after he was graduated from the College.
-1966 Takahashi went back Yokyo, and Goro’s first exposure in Aoyama, Tokyo
-1971 the first and only shop opened in Omotesandō, Harajuku, Tokyo
-“YELLOW EAGLE The Legend Story & Spirits of GORO’S” was wrote and edited by SHIN IKEDA , and was published by A-Works.



Goro’s

Goro’s has already become a legend of luxurious sterling accessory in Japan with Chrome Hearts. Goro’s was created in 1971, and so far there is only one shop in the world.



“No advertising, merely small amount handiwork.” Whenever you pass Goro’s in Tokyo, you may notice that people are always in a long line waiting for entering Goro’s as kind of pilgrimage, almost everyday. Goro’s could be the symbol or the representative of Japanese sterling silver accessory (some people regard it as jewelry.)



The designer of Goro’s, Goro Takahashi, insists to make each piece of work merely by his hands, which is the reason why Goro’s sterling silver accessory would be that hard to own. Even though you have the chance to enter the shop, the staff will see and decide to sell you their accessory or not. If your style does not match their accessory’s personality, they won’t sell you anything. Generally, you need to keep in touch with them and go several times to create a good relationship with them and their silver accessory. As being their friend, you can have your first Goro’s. Takahashi believed that, there might be some reasons for us to meet the silver, and we could find something on them that money cannot buy, “Silver has its own spirit.” In other words, you have to listen and communicate with the silver, and then you have the qualification to own it.



He had lived in the Navajo (the Native American tribe in Utah) for many years. There he learned antique skills to make silver accessory, meanwhile, he was given an honor of being an Indian warrior, and regarding of the blessedness, he had the right to make Navajo’s silver works. Because the yellow eagle and the sun he made were the holy and inviolable symbols for Navajo.





In Japan, he is more like an artist than just a silversmith or jeweler. He combines the Navajo’s traditional silver-making skills with his unique ideas and designs into his works, presenting by extraordinary delicate exquisite details. You may notice that, I said “works” or “accessory”, not “products.” Goro’s is unique and Takahashi seems to become a celebrity, on the other hand, Takahashi does not need to pay or hire any celebrities, such as famous singers, artists, designers, music producers, actors/ actresses, to endorse for Goro’s. There are many famous celebrities, such as Fujiwara Hiroshi, Kimura Takuya, love and wear Goro’s, and they become the best advertisement of Goro’s. That is the real fascination of Goro’s. “It’s not only about silver, it’s art.” Their most symbolic works should be the feathers and yellow eagles. When you check closely, you may find the each hair or fibril of the feathers, looks like swinging in the wind. That shows us how exquisite it could be, not overlook and details, they are fine and delicate.



By the way, there is one specific thing only happened in Japan, that is, you could go to any selected stores and pawn shops in Tokyo, and exchange your own Goro’s works to Cash. The Goro’s works still enhance in value as a mechanical watches, some people regard Goro’s as investments or collections.