Takachiho’s Mythic “Kagura” Captured by Photographer Jiro Konami
Masafumi Watanabe
Founder of DLX Co. Ltd
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Masafumi Watanabe is a designer and the creative director of BEDWIN & THE HEARTBREAKERS, one of the elite brands based in the fashion epicenter of Tokyo, Japan.
Watanabe’s first taste of streetwear came from the big-name sportwear labels back when he was playing football in high school. After graduating from university, he moved to London in 1995 for two years, eventually moving back to Tokyo and designing for cult Japanese streetwear label Tenderloin in 1997 with childhood friend and fellow designer Hideki “Hue” Kimura.
Leaving the brand in 2003 -- with Kimura to follow soon after -- the duo founded DLX Co. Ltd, the company behind BEDWIN and Kimura’s DELUXE. Since then, Watanabe has collaborated with the likes of adidas Originals, Converse, The North Face and Stussy.
He cites his main influences as being Savile Row tailoring and Americana of the 1920’s and 1930’s.
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Hypebeast traveled to Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, a spiritual epicenter for the country, with photographer Jiro Konami and fashion designer Masafumi Watanabe.
Featuring streetwear brands that began in Tokyo in the ’90s.
Two new brands working collaboratively on technical apparel.
Masafumi Watanabe confirming via Instagram.
“[It] will be the retail space with the most extensive collection out of all of our accounts.”
Surf brand Reef has collaborated with Japanese designer Masafumi Watanabe to create an exclusive
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