Going Nowhere - An Interview with Jun Takahashi and Nigo

Dazed Digital recently sat down with Japanese fashion icons, Jun Takahashi (Undercover) and Nigo (A Bathing Ape), for a brief discussion about their retail venture, NOWHERE. With Dover Street Market being the only UK stockist of A Bathing Ape, this new concept set-up within the stores basement has made a splash amongst the UK faithful, who have also been given the opportunity to purchase the re-edition of Jun and Nigo’s original collection, LAST ORGY 2. This short sit-down offers further insight into the project and a look into what other projects both designers have in store.

Dazed Digital: It’s been almost 15 years since you set up NOWHERE in Tokyo’s Harajuku area. What was the initial idea behind it?

Jun Takahashi: The idea was that by separating the small space of the store into two with wire netting, we wanted to express two totally different worlds of interests and of the way of thinking.

Nigo: I don’t think there was an idea. We were just doing what we felt like doing. I don’t think we needed to think about it that much.

DD: How do you think the success of the store has affected your positions as designers for A Bathing Ape and Undercover?

Jun Takahashi: I could be confident and positive about the idea of being independent.

Nigo: The store was commercially successful, so I suppose that encouraged me to carry on and do more. As far as A Bathing Ape was concerned there was no particular critical reaction that I noted at the time, so I don’t think that I was affected in that way.

The interview in its entirety can be read here.