Nigo - BAPE
Nigo is a Japanese music producer, DJ and creator of the urban clothing line A Bathing Ape or as it is also known BAPE. The Fashion label is one of the most expensive for the popular culture of clothing and is rather hard to come by with the only retail store in America being in New York. The clothing line began in Japan with a small group of the teenage demographic following the styles and fashions of the designers camo wear until he released the Bapesta, a sneaker which, according to Jonathan Ross, became the "epitome of collectible footwear". The style is influenced by the cult of Manga (Japanese comic) followers, whom are also known as the Otaku, they basically follow the Japanese anime and Manga religiously and are a part of and underground cult society that are generally deemed as ultra nerds. The collaboration with music artists such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams has launched the urban BAPE brand worldwide.
The BAPE Logo
Kanye West, wearing one of BAPE's many hoody brands that feature the zip that cover the face.
Below is a link to the Fashion Labels site
Pharrell Williams - BBC (Billionaire Boys Club)
Pharrell Williams, is the multi talented singer, songwriter, actor, fashion designer and entrepreneur. His clothes line Billionaire Boys Club or BBC as it is also known is one of the most popular and expensive brands around the world, the clothesline was inspired after a collaboration with Nigo in an album cover. the designs are similar to the Bape fashion in their simple style and following of the popular comic and cult fashions in Japan.
Below is a link to the fashion lines website
Takashi Murakami is one of the most influencial Japanese artists following the style of pop art or 'popular culture art', he creates characters and paintings that sell for millions while also branding the small characters such as DOB or his small mushroom creations as affordable toys for the public, so that his artwork is not just for the rich classes who are able to afford it. His works all feature the influence of the Japanese manga and anime culture with the bright colours and shiny perfection. He has also worked with Kanye West in album designs and music videos spreading his work into the popular mediums.
In the images above, on the left is the sculpture entitled 'My Lonesome Cowboy' and on the right is the other named 'Hiropon'. these two feature into the works of the anime characters and their shiny 'perfected' appearance but with a twisted sexual theme. Their has been a lot of controversy in Japan of the characters in Manga and anime, especially of the schoolgirl, being depicted as sexual objects to entice the adult audience as well as being a cute character to appeal to younger audiences. This in itself causes problems and a rather sordid and horrible feature to the animation and comic industry that generally appears to be childish and innocent.
DOB is a recurring character in a lot of Murakamis works, it appears on t-shirts, chains, posters and many other of the artists branded products.
KaiKai & Kiki are two characters that Murakami has made with the theme of the cutesy anime style, although with slight mutations.
Belo is a link to the artists page
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