KAPITAL Founder Toshikiyo Hirata Has Died
Renowned for his denim, workwear as well as his American-inspired pieces.
The founder of the world renowned brand KAPITAL, Toshikiyo Hirata has died. Earlier today, news outlets from around the world reported the death of the legendary visionary.
Hirata-san founded the Japanese denim label in 1948 while living in the United States, teaching karate. He was heavily inspired by the American denim aesthetic, which has influenced his outlook on the brand ever since. Deeply rooted in a time of complex history between America and Japan, Toshikiyo Hirata was amongst an early group of Japanese collectors who traveled to America at the time in search of “vintage gold.” When he later returned home, he began making denim, even studying denim making techniques in Kojima in the ’80s.
He later opened his own denim factory in 1984, which later led to him finding the KAPITAL brand in 1985. While he never expected to be a fashion designer, his understanding and meticulous attention to detail made way for his high quality and craftsmanship on garments. Now, KAPITAL remains one of the most recognized brands in the world, having played a major part in the workd of streetwear. His son, Kiro has helped him expand the brand to what it is today.
