Edited by Poe
Photos by Debre
Early this month, Freshness contributor Debre had the opportunity to check out the brand B.Q.E. and its store CLUSTER on the Lower East Side of NYC…
CLUSTER – B.Q.E. Official Store
100 Stanton Street
New York NY, 10002
TEL: 212-253-2097
B.Q.E. – The Brand
Kota Kuramoto, a designer from Japan, always sought to create a brand which fused street fashion styles of Tokyo into New York’s. In 1998, he established the brand B.Q.E. to do just that.
Since then, products from B.Q.E. appeared in magazines such as ID, Trace, DAZED & CONFUSED. It also has a following within the Music/Hip-Hop community, spotted on everyone from Q-Tip to DJ Krush.
One item that best illustrate Kota’s goal is the B.Q.E. SUKA REVERSIBLE JACKET. Velour on one side, satin on the other, with detailed embroideries on both, this jacket is a reminiscence of uniforms wore by biker gang members around Tokyo.
B.Q.E. Suka Jacket – Satin Side, Front
B.Q.E. Suka Jacket – Satin Side, Back
B.Q.E. Suka Jacket – Velour Side, Front
B.Q.E. Suka Jacket – Velour Side, Back
CLUSTER – The Store
In 2000, with the growth of B.Q.E., Kota set up shop in the heart of Lower East Side and named the store “CLUSTER”. The shop is at its current location since 2002 carrys the entire B.Q.E. collection, which includes denim, t-shirts, and accessories as well.
Cluster Store Front
Inside Cluster
B.Q.E. T-shirt
B.Q.E. Varsity Jacket
B.Q.E. iPod Case
