A leader in the Japanese fashion industry, Mitsuhiro Kubo is the owner, creative director and head buyer of GR8, a Tokyo-based retail imprint that stocks a diverse mix of luxury and streetwear labels, ranging from established names such as Balenciaga and Kanye West’s adidas YEEZY line, to more niche imprints such as 032c and KAR/L’ART DE L’AUTOMOBILE. Prior to opening GR8 in 2005, Kubo started his career in the fashion industry at age 18 at the since-closed Laforet department store in Matsuyama. Today, GR8 became a respected player in the retail industry for Kubo’s unique curation and its ability to bridge the gap between western and Japanese fashion markets. GR8’s physical store is known for frequently hosting pop-ups and installations, and the launch of its web store gave wider access to cutting-edge offerings.