Throughout Asia, the hot sticky weather for the most part makes mesh caps a more popular alternative to the bread and butter fitted cap seen in other parts of the world. Having said that, the Japanese market has always been a bit of the exception in the fitted cap market (baseball anyone?) with realmad HECTIC releasing two new styles. This includes a patent style and a more conventional wool product with a logo design done by Goodenough UK. Available now at eproze.
The foundations established by Hiroshi Fujiwara of Fragment Design and Shinsuke Takizawa of Neighborhood has made them pretty damn popular in most parts of Asia with a slow migration into the West. Their two way collaboration resulted in a design seen on this fine gauge Basecontrol beanie. Base Control can be considered as a sort of Japanese version of American Apparel, with simple unbranded pieces. Whatever formula Fujiwara and Takizawa employ, it has allowed them to sell this beanie out at Basestation.
Hong Kong label NSBQ followed up their success with a new collection of Castro-styled hats. Five different styles were produced, each possessing an unique characteristic from handmade Kheffiye scarves. Each hat package is enclosed with a wax seal. The hat is also stamped with a Liberation Army stamp to signify the cap owner’s identity and bloodtype.
A piece of the “most popular shoe of the year” pie can probably be saved for Supra and their Muska Skytop. In a new direction for the brand, the NS (“Non Skate”) line was created to emphasize some next level higher end styles. Within the NS collection, products will utilize high end materials and more advanced construction methods. Look for these to kick off 2008 and include some other models as well.
Image: Complex
The latest memo is that industrial looking furniture is in. Japanese brand M&M have turned their attention away from garments to design a series of furniture and houseware products. Some of the products such as the stools and benches maintain an unfinished look. The three-piece bench can be configured with separate seating arrangements, but the first thing that might cross your mind is to wander over and grab a similar set up from a construction site. Tissue holders, work lamps and clipboards round out the available products.
Image: Revolution Information
