Boy, does Nigo enjoy Blue Bottle Coffee. Maybe it's the signature blends, maybe it's the atmosphere of the Nakameguro location that he frequents — whatever it is, he's in for life, or at least for as long as his Human Made brand retains streetwear dominance. To signify Nigo's undying loyalty, his label's Kyoto flagship, Human Made 1928, has just been upgraded with its very own Blue Bottle cafe, complete with exclusive items and treats.
This follows last month's surprise partnership, wherein Nigo cooked up custom staff uniforms, collaborative apparel, and a bespoke Future Blend for the Californian chain's new Shibuya space. The usual Human Made ethos was on full display in the hardy cotton T-shirts and co-branded heart motifs, all returning to kick off the in-house outpost, a first for Blue Bottle. Sure, it has stores in shopping centers around the world — including the legendary Ginza Six and Hong Kong's IFC — but this is the first time Blue Bottle has been integrated into a standalone boutique.
Human Made 1928 already spotlighted various elements of Nigo's inimitable aesthetic, including Human Made apparel, home goods, and the occasional snack, but this cafe is a much more involved endeavor. It's a fully-functioning Blue Bottle, retaining the company's trademark wooden countertops and stylishly angular shapes alongside a healthy stock of Nigo's exclusive Future Blend. Like other Blue Bottles, the Human Made iteration will also sell goods and coffee gear but these have been given the requisite Human Made makeover.
Eight unique items have been subtly tweaked to meet Nigo's exacting standard. These range from ceramic mugs to shatterproof tumblers to even a custom pour-over set, all graced by that understated blue co-branding. Future Blend fans can purchase bags of the stuff on-site and sample some heart-shaped sweets crafted by Kagizen Yoshifusa — a historic, hundreds of years-old Kyoto tea establishment — especially for Nigo's new spot.
The special Blue Bottle collectibles launched on Human Made's website May 25, the same date that the cafe opened in Human Made 1928. The special Future Blend and Kagizen Yoshifusa treats are only available in-store.
