 |
||||||||
| Past
to present How did you get into this game of graffiti, Hip Hop, etc.? It all started in the early 80s with the American radio show AFN in Berlin, it was a military base station I listened to a lot and It was the first time I heard Hip Hop music. It sounded revolutionary to me, so my interest and attention was growing and I got more and more into it. How did you find out about these youth movements from abroad? It was quite difficult to get the records you heard on the radio, also I was really young at this time. So I recorded the shows on tape. Later, when I started traveling to New York I finally had the chance to find records like the legendary "Double D & Steinski" and Ram:ell:zee's "Beatbop" for example. I was already crazy about sneakers, everything I was dreaming of was available at Delancy Street in the Lower East side. The Jordan stuff was big at that time. You were part of a very small group of people who endorsed a new lifestyle. How would you characterize those few who were into it over here? It was just a small group of like minded friends. At this time I was really into skateboarding, through this lifestyle I got |
introduced to skate and surf brands. That
started at the end of the 80s in West Berlin. Later we took this kind
of style into nightlife and the clubs. I became a DJ in the early 90s while my friends got more established in the fashion world - photography or distribution. We really started a new movement over here in Germany, it was pretty much about breaking down boundaries in all territories. There was a Berlin Chapter of the Intl. Stüssy Tribe. How did this start? Martin van Doren, former distributor of Stüssy Germany, selected the members of the original Stüssy Tribe over here. It's funny how this all became such a cult, back then we didn't take it too seriously, we were just young kids wanting to have some good fun. When I saw the last season's Japanese Stüssy shirt with our old crew on it, I finally realized that I had become an adult? How did you get your Chapter jacket? I met Shawn the first time in New York in the 90s, we talked a lot about shoes and colors and he told me he's really into the Adidas Rivalry. As Adidas produced different styles for each market / country at this time, I sent him a rare German edition. His gift for me was the Stüssy Tribe jacket with the KAOS embroidery. |
Goodenough
and Very Ape were the first Japanese labels to arrive in Europe. What
was new about these brands? While Stüssy was more a skate and surf brand, Goodenough and Very Ape were a more fashion orientated follow up. The work at those brands was very detailed and stylish, the Japanese created a new hype and took street wear to a new dimension. What other brands were interesting? Smaller shirt brands such as Clubking and Major Force by Tycoon Tosh for example. Goodenough did an excellent collection based on flight pants and jackets, very fresh at this time. These brands took the street style to another level. Responsible for this was and still is Gimme 5 from London. With the internet it’s quite easy these days to buy pretty much anything... I am not at all into buying stuff via the internet. From time to time I buy some basics or get clothing sent from friends in the industry. Probably the rarest pieces I own are some Westwood Seditionaries shirts and some old Jordans. Even though you have seen so much what keeps you still interested? Well, I really live this culture. And after the years, all of this is still growing, creative and very successful. |
Most of these brands are
not just fashion companies making shirts, sneakers and caps, they
became co-op partners and open new doors by organizing art shows,
supporting club tours and collaborating with other brands to create
new, innovative products. How did the crowd of people change from when you started as compared to today? The younger generation is very educated and more open minded than back in the days. They simply cross boarders in music, art and fashion. Also the movement is growing into a huge industry and is much easier accessible now. Who do you see as the driving force? Basically it's the same circles as back then. There are new artists, labels and styles coming up, but they're background is deep-rooted with the old heads from London, NYC and Tokyo. Why does Japan play such an influential role today? The most interesting brands are coming from Japan right now. Everything seems ahead, detailed and trend setting. Especially Undercover is very inspiring to me. The mix of Punk, Kraut and art creates a unique and contemporary style. |
|||||
|
||||||
 |
 |
