Undercover Women's s/s 2011

Tying into the men's Underman theme with the backdrop and heroine, let's take a look at the s/s 2011 collection from Undercover...








The skirts, jackets, and knit tops stick out most to me, as well as the bags, which Undercover always does beautifully. However, gotta say, this collection is played pretty damn safe and almost every piece is an easy ready-to-wear. I've seen some complaints that Jun has lost his inspiration and conceptual vision, but honestly for a smaller fashion house such as Undercover it is important to produce wearable pieces in economic times like this so that the company can stay afloat. I think that's why Undercover had so much fun with their Underman lookbook for instance, so that they can still keep some creative outputs without sacrificing a line that sits on the racks.


Previously: Undercover 2011 s/s 'Underman' Campaign

Undercover x Nike 'Gyakusou' Campaign in Milk


-john-

via stylezeitgeist

Undercover 2011 s/s 'Underman' Campaign

Jun Takahashi has just released the lookbook for Undercover's s/s '11 collection, 'Underman', however he also has a way more conceptual little campaign that really explores the story of Underman in a fun old school super hero style. Enter UNDERMAN, 'The Empty World'...

The year is 20XX. The world, in which the soules of the people have been incapacitated by the forces of evil, is empty. UNDERMAN is born to restore these lost souls. The battle against sorrow wages on.
UNDERMAN!!!!

Enemy: Pyranoid
Home: 8th Goslar Star
Weapon: Infinity cutter
A mineral monster whose left hand holds the infinity cutter, which removes people's minds.

Enemy: Gem Monster Mashra (played by Mademoiselle Yulia, <3)
Home: The underground city of Udoo
Weapon: Shra Stick
Mashra uses the Shra Stick to steal the souls of people. She is a missionary from the underground world.

Certain doom for Underman!
Underman escapes the beam by a hair's breadth, but he is blown off his feet as an explosive roar and blinding light overwhelm him. Underman is on the knife's edge!

KICO, she knows how to save this world.

Man-under, it becomes.
UNDERMAN transforms!Caught up in the Label Niño phenomenon created by the Cosmo Creamer emanating from the Eraser Belt, he transforms into Underman

Awesomely awesome awesomeness, from concept to styling to to photography. Shot by Morimoto Katsuhide with Jun Takahashi, art direction by Tetsuya Nagato Karuizawa camp. This photo story is a total of 36 cuts, inspired by old Rider Hero cards, and will be fully released (possibly in trading card form) early next year.


Giving people a reason to actually want your lookbook alone... Brilliance.



-john-

via jun

Undercover x Nike 'Gyakusou' Campaign in Milk

This week's issue of Milk was taken over by the new Nike x Undercover collaboration, the 'Gyakusou International Running Association.' They got the cover, as well as a pretty comprehensive write up of the collection and a nice ad campaign...

(photo credit: swaggerdap)


The collection, much like this ad campaign is built off of simplicity and effectiveness. Undercover is known to use some amazing materials to give their products nothing short of the best from design to production. And I can only imagine that Nike mirrored that vision with this Gyakusou collection. I love seeing how far the run culture, that Nike has built, can go.



-john-

Original Fake Golden Week Exclusive Collaborations

Yesterday I posted the exclusive news about the Golden Week NBHD x OF collab.

Well, it turns out that there are actually several collabs going ahead during that period to celebrate Original Fake's 4th anniversary.

Along with the NBHD one there is also a Bape and an Undercover collaboration.

Check out the pics

All Ts will be released on the 3rd May at their respective brand stores.

-Yom

UNDERCOVER a/w 2010 Lookbook - "Avakareta Life"

The mens side of UNDERCOVER has taken such great leaps over the past few years, as it perfectly plays the line between runway and edgy independent label. Well this year's Autumn/ Winter collection is called "Avakareta Life" and images of over 30 looks have just released!
More lookbook lust...









The collection looks amazing. Always strong with outerwear, that 1st jacket is my favorite piece for the giant bubble hood. But I'm also beyond intrigued by the oversized and lined collars on the 2 asymmetrical jackets. Aside from the that the headgear and accessories are very clean, as are the pants, keeping it simple.

And the lookbook itself is just as great! Great concept with the obvious faux scenery to set the mood for each look but still keep consistency throughout. Inspiring. And yes that is Jun Takahashi modeling his own line.

Browse all 30+ looks over at Hypebeast or Glltn


-john-

DOUBLEDUTCH Web store opening

DOUBLEDUTCH is one of the longest running streetwear stores in Nagoya. They have gone from opening the doors of their first small store in Sakae, Nagoya in 1982, to now being the local franchise holders for HOODS, Undercover and Supreme, as well as still running the DOUBLEDUTCH shop.

To celebrate their 28th anniversary they have decided to open a web store, Scramble Mart. To commemorate this mile stone NBHD designer Shinsuke Takizawa and Jun Takahashi from Undercover have designed some exclusive items only available from the new web store.

The web store launches tomorrow.

Congratulations to Kawashima-san and everyone at DOUBLEDUTCH!

-Yom

Jun Takahashi Interview (Undercover s/s 2010 show)

To present his Spring/ Summer 2010 menswear collection, Jun Takahashiput on an amazing show in Florence garden just a few months ago. The Corner caught up to him for a nice interview about his show, views on the internet, technology the future, materials, and more. He is amazing, and this is a good watch...

Ever since being in Hong Kong and falling in love with the Undercover store, I've been a huge fan of Jun and the line. He is a true fashion designer who uses all sorts of inspiration for new materials, themes and looks. Undercover along with Visvim are 2 of the best doing right now. Period.

And I really want one of those awkward and borderline creepy animal/ dolls that he makes.


-john-

via yoox

NOWHERE Interview with Nigo & Jun

With the recent opening if NOWHERE Hong Kong, Hypebeast was lucky enough to get a quick interview with Nigo and Jun Takahashi to speak a little bit more on the progression of the project.



They get into their history, their respective roles at Bape and UNDERCOVER, and naturally they touch on the NOWHERE project a bit as well.

Read the entire interview here. Some nice pictures of the new NOWHERE store as well.



-john-

Undercover x Kaws Bear Companion

Undercover and Kaws have gotten together to release this Bear Companion figure.

Out on the 29th August, the figures retail for ¥12,800 and will be available from all Undercover stores and Isetan, Shinjuku.

2 colours will be available with each figure featuring the Undercover teddy bear carrying a Kaws companion.



Via Jun Takahashi


-Yom

Undercover x Hello Kitty Tees

While the men seem to always get the bulk of the products from Undercover, here are the Undercover x Hello Kitty crossover tees that are available for women and children.




Releasing tomorrow, July 25th, at all Undercover store locations.


-john-

via Jun

Bape x Undercover - Last Orgy Sneakers

Undercover and Bape are already back with another crossover sneaker.



This Last Orgy Two sneaker comes in the signature Undercover silhouette with the text bubble at the toe, and black camo canvas on the upper. Such a simple yet incredible shoe if you ask me.

I'm glad to see that Nowhere wasn't the extent of Bape x Undercover collaborations!

Available at Undercover stores soon.


-john-

via Jun

Undercover Aoyama - a/w 2009 Womens Collection

Same story as I just posted, except this is the Womens half of the collection from the Autumn/ Winter release at Undercover Aoyama. Opening July 18th.



Undercover does such great things with cut & sewn pieces, like these hoodies. The sleeve ends and bottom construction make a simple solid color hoody unlike any other.


I'm growing to hate loud back pocket designs, so I think this garter belt type designs are kinda sweet. For the ladies that is.




Sure you have to be willing to take some risks to pull some of it off, but if you can it definitely would look amazing.

The womens and mens collections will be available at the re-opening of Undercover Aoyama on July 18th.



-john-

via Jun