Timberland's global tour of its groundbreaking documentary, “This Is Not a Boot: The Story of an Icon,” culminated in two final stops in Shanghai and Tokyo, celebrating 50 years of the iconic Yellow Boot.
With special screenings in cities around the world where its influence has been undeniable, Timberland paid homage to its rich legacy in East Asia, where the outdoor footwear brand has built a strong following since its foray into Japan in 1973 and the Chinese market in 1992.
In Japan, guests gathered at Circus Tokyo, a trendy event space in Shibuya, for a night of live music featuring local rappers and DJs, including @taroimai, @_brian.x_, and @chihiroiskw, as well as an appearance by Takayuki Ohashi, proprietor of The Apartment who was also featured in the doc.
Opened in 2009 and borne from Ohashi's passion for New York streetwear, The Apartment gained a reputation as one of Tokyo’s premier independent shops stocking East Coast gear and serves as a testament to Japan's enduring fascination with American culture.
With pizzas and brews in hand, the audience was locked in for the night.
Meanwhile, in Shanghai, pioneering Asian rap artist MC Jin headlined a panel discussion touching on his roots and his deep connection with Timberland. A former member of the Ruff Ryders, the East Coast native relocated to Hong Kong to master Cantonese, where he’s now fluent.
A former member of the Ruff Ryders, the East Coast native returned to his roots in Hong Kong to master his ancestral language, Cantonese, where he’s now fluent. Jin’s love for hip-hop during his formative years sparked his desire to own a pair of yellow Timbs — long considered an essential fashion accessory in rap.
The screening underscored Timberland's global influence. In China, it's affectionately known as "TeeBooLang" by devoted fans, a clever play on Timberland's Chinese pronunciation while simultaneously signifying "unbreakable spirit." The nickname perfectly captures Timberland's long-standing reputation for durability and quality while echoing Jin's own hard-fought journey of embracing his cultural identity.
Check out everything that went down above and watch “This is Not a Boot: The Story of An Icon” here.
