Fujiwara Hates Non City Dwelling Americans
Way back when we featured Hiroshi Fujiwara, he mentioned not being all that interested in expanding into the American market and even admitted to not really knowing that much about American consumers anyhow. But one thing he does claim to know is how detrimental non-attractive people can be to a brand and it’s perceived coolness. In this Portfolio piece on the continued Bathing Ape phenomenon, the 40 year-old Japanese designer expresses his disdain for Nigo, and rural dwelling Americans who rock the gear, but it has nadda to do with the designs:
“I just wonder how he feels when he sees ugly people wearing his clothes. If you go to the countryside in America and people are wearing Bathing Ape, that’s not very cool.”
Although we could dissect this a few ways we’ll go with the obvious. Cause, not for nothing Hiroshi, but as far as looks go in America—including the dreaded suburbs you mention—we’d refer to you as the pot calling the kettle black, sir.
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WOW.
I guess this is what happens when you don’t “need” to work and do special projects that are available to 50 people and don’t actually have to turn a profit, but rather produce items that are only for cool guys and keep real people at arms length.
The life of an intitled “style maker” sounds awesome. How do I become one? Oh yea, I need to be born with a trust fund.
Comment by coldcut — October 18, 2007 #
Fujiwara’s a hack who hasn’t been relevant for years. His clothes are not clean and sophisticated; they’re dull, muted, and bland — the Japanese equivalent of the Gap (except much more expensive).
Don’t be mad that young guys coming up are reaching out to the American market. If you want nothing to do with America, don’t comment on it. If you think you can penetrate the American market better than Nigo, by all means, go for it.
It might be tough, though. Gap’s pretty deep over here in the States.
Comment by projectnrm — October 18, 2007 #
Watch your mouth, Hiroshi — you may not APE our culture as blatantly as your friend Nigo, but you’d be nothing without our music to spin, our clothes to copy, our freedom to admire and desire. WE can take swipes at our own coutry folk but you, my friend, are NOT allowed. Don’t talk about what you don’t know about you snotty little fuck.
Little Japanese guys pretending to be hardcore and obsessing over fixed gear bikes…THAT’s not very cool.
Comment by Red White and Blue — October 18, 2007 #
who the fuck is this jack ass? i have heard of him, but is he really relevant right now? why does his name keep coming up in blogs?who wants head porter? you can buy those type products anywhere.
what is up with the hat? he is not from jersey. he should get a nice haircut and a real job.
Comment by turd — October 18, 2007 #
Dude is wack, he looks like E.T., on some elitist Jap shit. He designs bland and boring shit.
Comment by Nigro — October 18, 2007 #
yall hating on his comment… but how many of you were on BAPE’s dick until every hoodrat and Weezy-jock-riding college kid started rocking candy color camo crewnecks?
what he said may be ignorant, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
And Fujiwara’s real relevant - Head Porter, Fragment Design, FENOM, HTM, Goodenough, and iDiom - some of the biggest names in streetwear design - are all brands that he launched and still designs for.
Not to mention that he helps run Honeyee, everyone’s favorite fashion site’s favorite fashion site.
Comment by Grand Master — October 19, 2007 #
HES RIGHT. ONCE YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE SUBURBS AND RURAL AREAS DESIRING YOUR SHIT ITS NOT COOL ANYMORE. IF ITS POPULAR, AND ALL OVER THE TV, ITS NOT COOL.
AND YES, MOST AMERICANS ARE FAT AND UGLY AND CAN NOT DRESS.
Comment by CHEEP — October 19, 2007 #
Now that’s crazy. We as the people think alot of different stuff in general, but sometimes it’s best to keep certain thoughts on the inside. Just because you think it doesn’t mean you have to say it, but if that’s how he feels…
Comment by G-Roc — October 19, 2007 #
Grand Master -
“And Fujiwara’s real relevant - Head Porter, Fragment Design, FENOM, HTM, Goodenough, and iDiom - some of the biggest names in streetwear design - are all brands that he launched and still designs for.”
You sound like an otaku tool. Relevant schmelevant. Streetwear collectively is a tiny blip on the overall cultural radar, and these brands barely have a pulse. Don’t be so brainswashed. Also, he’s not doing iDiom anymore.
Comment by Red White and Blue — October 19, 2007 #
Yup, streetwear is a tiny blip on the overall cultural radar - but yet we’re all reading a blog on it, and caring enough to post in response. So, I think, the question of streetwear’s significance is a priori ruled out of consideration. The question is, within the scope of a discussion regarding streetwear, what is Fujiwara’s past and continuing contribution?
Comment by Grand Master — October 19, 2007 #
thanks, for letting me know about iDiom, though - i didn’t realize he wasn’t still up in that.
Not to mention, I like Porter, Fragment, and Fenom gear. And his AF1’s. If you don’t, so be it.
Comment by Grand Master — October 19, 2007 #
Well Grand Master,
I like Porter too. But…I feel that his contributions up to this point (and especially NOW that he’s getting some shine) have been more than his dull clothes, for sure. Unfortunately, the contributions are some things that make my skin crawl about this culture — unfounded snobbery, closedmindedness based on insecurity and nerdy fear, and an air of disdian for things or people deemed somehow unworthy of the “cool” stamp. So little of this culture’s so-called cool is authentic. And as for the insider-ish posturing, I think that when you misunderstand the fact that youth culture and people everywhere are essentially THE SAME, you begin to have a distorted view of the truth. I don’t have anything against an elevated aesthetic sense or a love of design or nice things, but I can’t go for HF’s thinly veiled racist and classist statements about my American peeps. Look at the Americans he has blogging on Honeyee. Ahahahahahaha. Shows how much he knows about us and “cool.” ‘Nuff said.
Believe me, I wish I didn’t have to read this crap all day, but I make my money in the cesspool of mediocrity that is street wear, so until I figure out another gig I’m kind of obliged.
Sorry I called you a tool. But, don’t believe the hype, friend.
Comment by Red White and Blue — October 19, 2007 #
I’m from Kentucky, and I rock a little BAPE….fuck off fujiwara!….Kentucky is country and seems to me we’ve birthed some of the world’s most beautiful people….Ashley Judd, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Muhammad Ali….whom is a much bigger style icon than your old ass will ever be…..unbelieveable comment you ignorant motherfucker
Comment by Tomcat — October 19, 2007 #
Not to defend hf, but bape is definitely the wack.
You rock bape and you’re from Kentucky?
I don’t know how many cool people Kentucky has ever produced, but I think you’re exactly one of what he meant, kid!!
Let’s see you can rock your bape when the hype is over or you become old enough to realize what time it is.
Oh, by the way, anyone here know what does NIGO mean? Now you know it means Hiroshi Fujiwara #2…..
Comment by ta — October 20, 2007 #
bape was hot, but its old now. fujiwara is wack
Comment by yohomiestef — October 20, 2007 #
Nigo rules. gotta say ive got a few pairs of bape shoes and a few bape hoodies. I love them.
Comment by Bape — November 1, 2007 #
BAPE was cool, but truthfully its not all that. its over priced patterns. his comments are ‘how u say” Dum.
Comment by Mr Flint — November 16, 2007 #
Every kid had a cool BAPE t-shirt or hat and I just had to have one.
Comment by Bape — December 9, 2007 #
Guys, Nigo or HF? what matter most for a streetwear label is the phylosophy, it’s not just selling some fresh gears, dope kicks, it’s what the label hold for and stand firm, the phylosophy behind the label, the uniqueness of the label, and always stay true to the roots. lifestyle label, undeground label, most important, never forget the phylosophy of the label. I’ve been digging the streetwear/fashion industry for sometime, i now own a streetwear label, personally, i’m not into great gear like Bape, it’s not because some celebrity rock his gear, but do they know the history or phylosophy of the label. Think of why do THEY rock BAPE. and why are u rocking it. Due Respect To all.
Comment by Fj — February 21, 2008 #
Supreme rules!!!
Comment by Sup! Reme — March 2, 2008 #
I’m not being biased to either end of this debate. Yet I understand where HF is coming from. Look at most street brand most are all alike. Nigo sells over priced clothing which I shall never purchase, own nor wear. HF keeps his stuff simple and classic… something that will never go out of style or get OLD. Street brands make the same thing over and over just in a different color way to match you brand new overly hyped dunks! Heh
GODSPEED.
-Arcieri Keness
download my mixtape for FREE
http://www.arcierikeness.blogspot.com
Comment by Arcieri Keness — March 26, 2008 #
bape is not cool in my opinion….it is too globalised and not authentic shit…..hf’s brands have a different look and are not as “teeny bopper” as bape…..i have respect none the less for nigo and hf….as they are true business moguls and have had a big influence over the streetwear culture…..
hf’s comments on middle america or whatever, is stereotypical and generalised…..however, you can understand what he means…..which is, it is too globalised.
anyway.it all boils done to what you define as cool….and what you want to wear…..
Comment by m — March 28, 2008 #
lmao this guy is a complete idiot. He fell off anyway. He is no longer relevant.
Comment by Paisley1212 — May 3, 2008 #
Is it really fair to reserve an idea or a type of philosphy and say it’s only for an elite people. Creativity should always go through development so when things become uncool their changed. His idea’s are now lacking creativity and the only way to keep them relevant is to hoard them, so be it. Most of Japanese streetwear was first inspired by the Hip-Hop culture if his statement is valid then well you do the math. Those kids from the suburbs might be inspired to go a step further and create something brand new, just like the japanese. Personally i think all it’s all wack.
Comment by QuDot — May 11, 2008 #