Notorious is the title given to the upcoming Spring/Summer 2011 collection from SWAGGER and it is inspired by notorious iconography from gangs, films and of course rap music. Key colors used in this collection is black, navy and red colors that translates the theme vividly. Simple designs reminds us of the 90′s streetwear and there is the N.W.A. inspired font play, paying tribute to the group that popularized the gangsta rap movement. Bandanna patterns and designs are used plentifully on hoodies, t-shirts, caps and tote bags, tying into gang culture. All of the initial delivery items will be available at SWAGGER stores in Japan and dealers world wide this weekend, Saturday, January 15th.

A solo exhibition, a book signing tour across Asia, for Brooklyn-base artist KAWS, 2010 was a whirl wind year of success. That streak might continue onto this year with the new collection from his clothing label with Japan’s MEDICOM TOY, OriginalFake. With its digital lookbook for the season set to publish this Saturday, January 15th, MEDICOM TOY published a few teasers to serve as collection preview for fans of the brand. (It looks like Chomp is back too!)

With a kick off date set for January 2, the first batch of the Spring 2011 collection from BBC/Ice Cream is hitting to all fields. Spanning virtually the full BBC/Ice Cream range, the collection mainly plays to the strong points of both labels: a stadium jacket, hoodies, flannels, a few pieces of denim emblazoned with the familiar Running Dog and Astronaut logos, a few sweatshirts, hats, an installment of the well received Nothings sneaker, and it’s rounded out by accessories including key fobs, tote bags, and cushions. While keeping it classic, BBC/Ice Cream also shows an eye for the times: most notably with a few slimmer cuts, more toned-down washes and prints, and in the skateboard graphic influence sweatshirts, with some Jim Phillips inspired artwork. Select pieces from the collection will be available from a number of the heaviest hitters in Japanese streetwear retail, including United Arrows, as well of course as at BBC/Ice Cream. Check the full line up for Spring 2011, from BBC/Ice Cream Japan, after the jump.

This surely will be a disappointment for fans of A Bathing Ape in Beijing and Northern China. After much speculation on its opening date, its finally official. The previous disclosed BAPE Store Beijing will be opening on December 30th… of 2011. No explanation from A Bathing Ape and its Chinese distributor, I.T. of Hong Kong, on the lengthy construction time frame. Maybe because the built up also involves several other storefronts, including the all-important COMME des GARÇONS, not to mention the complexity since Masamichi Katayama (片山正通) and his firm WONDERWALL will be handling the project. Let’s hope no one is queuing up now in front of the construction site… via: WONDERWALL

*UPDATE* We were told by several sources that the BAPE Store Beijing will be opening on December 30th of 2010, not 2011 as WONDERWALL suggested on its recent web update.  The error stemmed from a typo from the new WONDERWALL newsletter.

Mindful of not to alienate BAPE‘s loyal followers, URSUS BAPE‘s creative director Tetsu “TET” Nishiyama, also known for his WTAPS label, had an unenviable task – to establish the new line as a mirror image of A Bathing Ape yet not to replicate it fully while implement a sense of progressive fashion. In Spring and Summer 2011, URSUS BAPE continues to experiment that mixture, as it has in the previous season and quite apparent in next series of Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook, again shot by the once Terry Richardson assistant, Keiichi Nitta.  In the meantime, look for the new URSUS BAPE collection in the coming months at your local BAPE retailers.

For over a decade now, Japanese apparel label SWAGGER epitomized the ever changing terrain that is the urban culture of Tokyo.  Be its hip-hop orientation early on, to its current rendition of club, house, rock and everything in between, SWAGGER was not only able to still be relevant but thrived, sometimes under the most arduous of market conditions.  In order to present the label and its collection in a more all-inclusive setting, the SWAGGER Flagship Harajuku recently relocated to Propeller Street, a narrow stripe well known for driving trends within the Harajuku neighborhood.  Spacious yet not austere, the new location continued on the traditions of all SWAGGER stores, with its giant “SWG” light and a premium hi-fi system second to none.  Best of all, the store opens 7 days a week, from Noon to 8 pm.

SWAGGER Flagship Harajuku
4-28-22 Jingumae | Map
B1F
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan
TEL #: +81-03-5414-1591

Not wanting to rest simply on his laurels on his music alone, not to mention his $14 million dollars Miami penthouse, Pharrell Williams is trying to reach the stratosphere once again with his Spring/Summer 2011 Collection for Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. While it is quite obvious from its silhouettes the collection’s streetwear root, the constructions and materials used have definitely altered since the brand’s inception. In addition, the usage of tribal prints, along side BBC’s own camouflage pattern, selvedge denim, premium cotton twill and more, marks the collection even more unique from the rest of its peers. Photographed by Neil Bedford and styled by Mark McMahan, Season 12 Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook for BBC Ice Cream is now available on view.

A secret surf spot fiercely protected by the locals till recently, Boneyards is a tiny cove off the San Pedro portion of the California coastline.  Coincide with its cryptic nature and the biker culture of East Los Angeles, you have its second coming, Boneyards II: Conspiracy. Along with the brash graphic tees, selvedge denims and others, a particular item stood out, the  Boneyards II: Conspiracy Denim Jacket by denim specialist Levi’s. With its premium leather sleeves and raw denim body, its quilted interior is the ideal barrier against the cold.  Of course the ubiquitous red tab is visible off the front pocket. The Boneyards II: Conspiracy Denim Jacket by Levi’s for Stussy x NEIGHBORHOOD is now available as special order through Canada’s HAVEN.

Cult streetwear brand FUCT is ready to wreak havoc once again in the forthcoming Spring/Summer 2011 season. Military and work wear styles are a source of inspiration next season as well and here is the preview of nine pieces that is available for pre-order at Japanese online store STLESS. Chain stitching, original buttons and embroidery designs are some of the details used by creative director Erik Brunetti to bring out the vintage like feel. The denims this season were also manufactured in Okayama, Japan, which is the mecca of Japanese denim. Most of the items are scheduled for release at around late March or early April next year. Proceed after the jump to preview a portion of the collection.

Japanese hip hop super group Nitro Microphone Underground established the Nitro Camp, a members only fan website, that provides latest news, concert tickets, limited edition items and anything related to Nitro Microphone Underground. Just as their music swept up Japan like a wild typhoon, they are also recognized as trend setters and influencers in the land of rising sun.

Here we take a preview of the latest collaboration project is between Nitro Camp and Levi’s Fenom, headed by none other than Hiroshi Fujiwara and his fragment design team. The Levi’s Fenom 207 Nitro Metal Disco Decoration Crush Customize jeans are exclusively available for Nitro Camp members only and it commemorates the new NMU album, scheduled to drop on January 1st, 2011. The back section of the jeans feature the Tokyo skyline made up of metal studs in various sizes. On the right side of the denim, there is the signature zipped pocket and several distressed treatments can be found on the front and rear section.

If you are not in Japan or anywhere near SWAGGER stores, but  have been eyeing the SWAGGER x Levi’s 5WA99er-505 jeans, now is your chance to grab a pair. The special denims are currently available at c.i.y by SWAGGER in the Japanese online shopping mall ZOZOTOWN. Heavily damaged treatment on the front to mimic used denim style.  The special 505 edition sits on a slimmer silhouette, which  gives an indication as possible new direction of the label. Surprisingly, these items lack the SWAGGER branding for a collaboration project. But luckily for overseas buyers they can arrange overseas shipping via international shipping company such as Tenso.

Takeshi Osumi, also known for his Hip-Hop identity Big-O, is the creative mind behind men’s fashion label PHENOMENON and a partner in the streetwear brand SWAGGER. From PHENOMENON’s launch in 2004, it has grown to be a driving force within the street/fashion scene in Tokyo. And just early this year, it made a runway debut for its Fall/Winter 2010 collection at Tokyo Collection Week with a surprisingly ambitious collection. Tokyo Collection Week’s organizer, Japan Fashion Week, caught up with Osumi to hear about his upcoming Spring/Summer 2011 collection as well as his background and inspiration. Check the full interview over at Japan Fashion Week website and connect with the designer.