Mike Martin & Ichigo: MASH SF x SAG | Hypebeast

An Interview with Mike Martin and Ichigo

What role do each of you play at your respective brands? Could you offer a little bit of brand history?

Mike Martin: This project came out of our MASH project. We met Yoshi of SAG, and his team in Japan back in 2006 before their brand had launched. They were psyched to get bags to some our riders they met, and riders were no doubt grateful. Together we made a plan in ’07 to produce this original backpack design together, and 2 years later, here we are. We received the first few bags that went to riders we try to help support. Our latest shipment is available now at our online store.

Ichigo: My role at SAG includes designer and producer. I’m involved in the development of the brand from various angles including brand logos, tags, concepts and the overall direction. Everything began following a meeting with a bag manufacturer who had been in business for approximately 12 years. My good friend Yoshi jumped on board as a designer for SAG from his previous job as an apparel designer. The manufacturing company also owned the factory so they effectively helped us focus our efforts. We created

SAG following 5 years of careful planning to help make bags not only fashionable but competent in everyday use and more in line with industrial design.

How would you describe your city’s respective styles in riding?

MM: It can’t be defined by one thing. All riders use their bikes in a different manner and treat their city in that same fashion. Over the years we have seen street riders take road cycling more seriously. As well there has also been a focus on trick riding from newer riders. SF still has its core of familiar faces you see in the streets and events in addition to maybe an additional one thousand riders you have never met before. More students interested in video are taping with their friends, and putting short clips on YouTube. This is happening globally and has been an exciting way to see how each community is unique, and also emulates what they’ve seen before them.

I: It’s diverse. As a matter of fact, there are more commuter bikes than anything else. I see a lot of people riding their bikes to go to work and recently, I think more people started riding as a recreational activity on weekends.