KICKS JAPAN: June 2010

1000 $ Sneaker falls on Tokyo !!!

Working on product shots all day & got bored so I started playing around with Photoshop.Too adictive someone stop me.
The sneaker didnt fall on Tokyo
but the sneaker really does cost 1000 Dollars

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MAYA

Shot Maya at Inkrat tattoo. Um, wow too hot.

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Tono is one of the hottest b-boys in Tokyo, and his interview was really exemplary of what a cool, laid back guy he is. Completely unconcerned with money, he seemed to be really enjoying his life. We saw him at a breakdance battle a few weeks ago. Amazing.

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MICHI

Michi makes these cute rabbits, and used to exhibit in what used to be the ghetto.
Anyways, she used to model for some teenage fashion magazines so we suggested she bring some of her bunnies so we can do a portrait with them. We didn't actually expect a car load, one or two is cute. Hundreds are terrifying! Individually hand sewn, they are really cool- some are bigger than her.

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MASAKI HANAE

Shot at the Tokyu Shibuya, which has great views of Shibuya's scramble crossing from it's windows. Shot with Hana, gorgeous girl.

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Nakano Broadway

Been shooting products the last few days, today was the Canvas Store at Nakano Broadway, which stocks all vintage/ second hand kicks. They had a formidable collection of vintage products, their Reebok Pump Fury collection was out of control, as was the 98,000 yen (approx 1000USD) Converse One stars. Seemingly a hangout joint for sneaker otaku, the tiny shop was packed with people talking sneakers for hours on end.

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PRODUCT SHOOT

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Rainy Shibuya with Yuka

Shot ten girls over the past 3 days, tonight was a street shoot with Yuka who came in from Kobe to shoot with us. Fantastic style, moves great, and was in a bikini in Shibuya whilst Japan's rainy season took full effect. Thanks and Happy Birthday!

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Studio Shoot

Shooting 5 girls in a studio with Onitsuka Tigers. Today Masa came and did some body painting on two of them with an airbrush-the process takes about 2 hours, and the effect is really detailed and beautiful.

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COCO Ito Shoot

Starting to shoot chicks and kicks over the next few days, and took some Royals, Asics and Pumas out to shoot in Ito at Kazu's bar, and the local surf shop.
The girls super cute, and the pix are smoking hot!

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Usugrow

Starting as a graffiti, and flyer/ poster artist that also dabbled in tattoos his love affair with the monochrome look that he pursues started 15 years ago, when “color printers and photocopiers were so expensive that it wasn’t feasible to use them”

Probably my favorite street artist in Japan, he is also one of the most down to earth people Ive interviewed.

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Blake Piper UNDEFEATED JAPAN

Blake Piper at Undefeated Japan gave us some of his valuable expertise into the sneaker industry in Japan.

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Shin Tanaka paper artist

Shin Tanaka is one of the pioneers of the paper toy craze, and his work is simply adorable. Meticulously crafted, each of his creations takes 2-3 months to design, to get the correct specs. They don't have the boxy look of most paper toys, with curved lines, and actually look a lot better than vinyl, with a charming delicate feel about them.
We went to his rather unexpected day job, seriously in the middle of nowhere, and shot a cavalcade of his characters and kicks. He has worked with countless sneaker companies, gives workshops all over the globe, and has his toys displayed at the design gallery at Nike Oregon, and Issey Miyake Paris.
Go to his website, and download a template.