Make sure to check all the pics and the little interview right HERE!

Big thanks for including me!!

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It was fun and inspiring to see all the different designs and great ideas put into practice, especially the ones of the Japanese students from the different universities were causing a lot of smiles.

David from Zillion and also founder of the Magazine Library:

Saji: Best food x lifestyle magazine out of Japan!

BBBrand Bible:

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Maybe it’s because I’m German, but I think us Europeans in general were brought up with a whole different comprehension of what happened in the past during WW2. We were taught in school how horrible this period was and they almost made us feel ashamed of being German, even though our generation didn’t have anything to do with it. Over here, it definitely would be IMPOSSIBLE to display and glorify Nazi signs like that and I’m very thankful for that. Let’s not forget that an estimated 6 million Jewish were killed during WW2 and another estimated 50 million people lost their lives and there’s definitely no reason to “celebrate” this dark period in history.

It’s another thing to be inspired and fascinated by the designs of the SS uniforms, we have seen that in many other collections before, but why using swastikas? Why glorifying Adolf Hitler as a person? Why using typical Nazi signs that are strongly affiliated to WW2? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

I’m pretty sure that Japanese people must not have the same education, perception and feeling about the Nazi era as we have here in Europe, so I could understand the obsession with Nazi symbols. However, I assume that Mr. Shinsuke Takizawa & Mr. Tetsu Nishiyama have had a proper education and know what WW2 was all about and how horrible and terrifying the things were that happened during that time. Therefore, they should have a certain responsibility to their customers, because what I experienced at the 15th anniversary Neighborhood party, were young Japanese kids following the Neighborhood’s Nazi hype without any understanding what they are doing or wearing.

That night I found this kid wearing this T-Shit (which is NOT a Neighborhood shirt):

On the back of the shirt it said:

1937 - Denmark

1938 - France

1939 - Poland

etc.

After asking him what he’s wearing there and if he knows what the Nazi era was all about, he couldn’t really say anything and just kept apologizing and said that it is a fashion trend in Tokyo.

I think as a designer/brand owner you have a certain responsibility to what you produce and put out there in the market. Of course, maybe the whole collection is just for the Japanese market and not for us Europeans, but still messing around with such a sensitive subject has nothing to do any more with provoking other people, but is plain dumb and brainless.

I say: THIS IS NOT OK.

Again, this is only my personal opinion. Would love to hear and learn what others say about this topic…

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The Party was hosted by Hello Kitty, Mark The Cobrasnake, The Selby & colette. Music by VERBAL from the Teriyaki Boyz, Maedemoiselle Yulia, The Cobrasnake vs. The Selby etc.

Big thanks to Sarah!

I let the photos speak for themselves…

Starring: Eugene as Winnie The Pooh!

Me and Jey as Rudolph & The Joker

@Trump Room:

Yue as Mount Fuji:

Miho & me:

Mr. Murakami, Kerie from Cassette Playa and VERBAL behind the decks:

I want that costume!

Mmmhhh:

Bebetan the Smurf:

Blogger Summit: Eugene, Kevin, Jasper & Jason from Hypebeast on top of Mount Fuji:

Jasper the Duck:

One of my favourites: Hue as a Teletubby!

Me & my brother:

Michibata??

Yup yup… The Power Rangers:

ARIGATO!

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In the end everybody was allowed to ask questions and as we heard this crazy rumor that Visvim at the end of the year collects all their unsold items (they don’t go on sale) and BURNS them! (including animal skin!). I just had to know if it’s true or not. In my opinion this would go totally against Hiroki’s whole philosophy: Why travelling around the whole world, make all this effort to find new materials, new treatment procedures and spend time with Indigo people to learn more about their production processes of animal skins if in the end you destroy those products you didn’t sell??!!

It didn’t make any sense to me, so I really had to ask this question. In fact, our good friend Miho did for me as my Japanese isn’t that fluent. To be honest, we were a little scared to ask the question since all the other questions were all about different materials and Hiroki’s philosophy and of course we didn’t want to offend anybody.

However, in the end we asked the question and got a straight answer: Visvim keeps their Denim on stock for at least 3 seasons, the rest they collect and indeed burn! BUT, Hiroki also said that at last they always have very few stock left over etc.

I still think: This is not ok. Instead he could give the dead stock to those Indigo people he visited in Norway or some other people in need. Maybe after they’re 2-3 years old, so nobody gets pissed off that they paid the full price. Burning animal skin and all the other fabrics can’t be the solution and helping people in need can never harm your image.

Again, only my personal opinion. I still have mad respect for what he does and with which love and great detail he creates his Visvim products!

Waiting to get in:

Hiroshi in da house:

Hiroki talking:

They showed us the shoe in pieces:

Very happy to meet this guy!

YAY!

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Yoyogi Park:

This creative space provides artist with free rooms to hold an exhibition or present their art:

Look who I ran into… Jeff from Selectism… Highsnobbin’ to the fullest!

Jeff wanted Burger&Fries… I think she didn’t really get it, cause we ended up eating rice&fish…as usual…

Ega from Applebum passed by:

Dinner at our favourite place “Kai Kaya”… Lyntaro San, Stephane San & Mizuho San:

Fresh Wasabi:

Best Ginger Ale I ever had:

La Famille:

On the way to Daykanyama….

White Mountaineering… next level shit!

Most stylish dude in town rockin the MCM case … our man Poggy from United Arrows and Liquor, women & tears:

22 in da house:

“Lass ma durchdrehn!” aka LMD fingers everywhere!

Uino… I got stock there for hours… just strolling around…

They just love that…

Favourite pieces of the day… North Face Purple Label (Japanese Exclusive):

More to come…

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Steph and James showingtheir best side:

Keiichi himself:

A fun night!

PS. We also met Hami’s sister from Paris there! Hallo Hami, ca va toi?!

PPS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, James!!

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Shanghai stop-over:

Japan!

First thing: Hit “The Barber” in Shibuya:

First night we met Hue from Deluxe at Le Baron:

Hangover food:

Yue found a little porn DVD colection and this monster bug on his balcony:

Shibuya:

Yoyogi Park:

Harajuku Shopping:

Tokyo, you’re great so far! Let’s see if I ever will get over this jet-lag here… after 3 days I still can’t sleep at night…

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THNX Tom! Also for your Tokyo advice…

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