WARP MAGAZINE

Feb 2015 issue

There’s no doubt that you already have a list of go-to brands that you’re copping and wearing on the regular. But in the name of expanding your horizons, it’s always healthy and exciting to step outside of your comfort zone from time to time, even when it takes you halfway around the world.

Anyone who’s a fan of quality—in terms of aesthetic and craftsmanship—has been paying attention to the menswear and streetwear scenes in Japan. Even guys who have no interest in “fashion” would feel well at home in several of Japan’s best and brightest brands. While we can respect that you’ve got a favorite brand here in the states, we’ve scoped out a few names that may be worth trying from the land of the rising sun. Whether you’re looking for something new based on your favorite label, or are just curious about Japan’s list of great designers, these are 10 Japanese Brands to Check Out Based on Labels You Already Like.

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10.Deep is already a legendary streetwear brand,  known for graphically-centered but contemporary and streamlined clothing with a tongue-in-cheek flair. The brand’s clothes are distinctly born from its hometown of NYC, but carry with them a modern design pedigree that can be tough to find at this price point level.

Similarly, Magic Stick has been creating collections based on hip-hop and throwback references to the ’90s since its inception. Custom jerseys, box-style logos, and luxury and rap logo flips are all found in the pages of Magic Stick’s lookbooks. The label has also collaborated with notable names like Pharrell’s Billionaire Boys Club, made Yeezy-inspired backpacks, and even used Travis Scott as model. If you love ’90s hip-hop and the style that was born of that era, you’re going to be at home with both 10.Deep and Magic Stick.

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While the fast-paced nature of fashion makes it extremely difficult to forecast what to expect next, due to the changing temperaments of consumers and trends, we can look at what brands have showed recent signs of promise. Streetwear, menswear, sporstwear and more are fluid concepts at best. What was once clearly defined has been blurred into everything from high street to high fashion in the last decade. 2014 gave birth to a number of brands that made a big impact, as well as propelling many into the spotlight, and we are expecting them to continue to build upon their success this year. Without further ado, here’s 10 brands to watch out for in 2015, in no particular order. Enjoy the list and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Collaborations with PORTER, Billionaire Boys Club and 40oz NYC has put Japanese brand MAGIC STICK in the spotlight for a while now, however, it is its own line that truly has caught most of the attention. Born out of an affinity for ’90s musical subcultures, MAGIC STICK churns out compelling pieces pivoted by inspirations of that era, hence hip-hop sensibilities are prevalent throughout the collections. Bold and unafraid, offerings include pieces such as dungarees, capes and splattered paint jackets.

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