KIKS TYO

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  Kiks TYO The Red Devil & Black Devil Tee
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  Kiks TYO The 2 Tone Cardigan in Purple
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  Kiks TYO The 2 Tone Cardigan in Gray
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  Kiks TYO The KIKS TYO Logo Tee in Black
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  Kiks TYO The Big Logo Tee
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  Kiks TYO The Big Logo Mesh Cap
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  Kiks TYO The Elephant Skin Tee in Red
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  Kiks TYO The Sneaker Junkie Tee in Black
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  Kiks TYO The Sneaker Junkie Tee in White
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  Kiks TYO The Black Flag Denim Shorts in Black

KIKS TYO's world-famous shirt featuring Aki Hoshino and the company's trademark sneakers.

In 2006, Shinichi Izaki (also known as hobby:tech), a DJ, designer, host, magazine columnist, and icon in the streetwear/sneaker community, created KIKS TYO, a Japan-based clothing company. The line specializes in streetwear, footwear, and accessories.

Izaki has design and art credits for New Balance Japan, Nike, Vans, Adidas, Levis, Eames, United Arrows, Fred Perry, Beams, Honda, Warner Brothers and DC Comics under his belt. Izaki’s passion for his craft is very apparent in his artwork. After all, he believes that “passion, inspiration, and sense of humor” makes a good designer. True enough, these are just some of the many traits and qualities he has.

Before venturing into KIKS TYO, Izaki was a figure in Brownrats, a Japanese street wear line and creative collective. In early 2006, he left the company to create KIKS TYO. The line was inspired by his number one passion – sneakers.

A year after the brand was launched, a boutique store named KIKS TYO head shop was opened in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. Izaki also opened a second store in Ikebukuro, named HTML or Hobby Tasteful Merchandise Laboratory. The label was first launched in these stores, and were later distributed in boutiques and retailers and Japan – and now, all around the world.

Besides its primary merchandise, KIKS TYO has also collaborated with certain brands and designers to come up with equally fabulous finds. For one, it has collaborated with Chihi to come up with collaborative photo tees featuring models Aya Kiguchi, Yuzuki Aikawa, and Marie Sukegawa. The brand has also collaborated with Manik Skateboards and Yuko Ishida to come up with a skate deck.

As for the provocative pose of the aforementioned models on KIKS TYO shirts, Izaki had this to say in his Format Magazine interview: “For some people in Japan, seeing Aki (Hoshino) pose with the sneakers that they treasure is like salvation. It represents a kind of validation of their existence and their lives, an acceptance. Is it a fantasy? Yes. But it is also very much a reality. And below the surface, maybe the tees work to reveal something bigger than simply ’sneakers and girls.’”

When asked about his proudest creation, he said: “We’re proud of the New Balance project… All sneaker nuts walk around thinking about what we’d do if the opportunity ever came our way. So it was an honor, but like everyone we were somewhat prepared with ideas. We always wanted to apply universal design concepts that for one reason or another, NB never really tried.” He added: “The element of collaboration helped take things to a different level.”

The shoe collab beams of a fusion of elements like suede and patent, splatter, reverse colors (black/yellow, yellow/black), specially made lace locks, etc.

KIKS TYO Merchandise.

True to Izaki’s devotion to sneakers, he has launched a personal pet project entitled “The Sneaker Love Project.” The photobook, launched last January 31, 2008, featured Aki Hoshino, actress and bikini model. Hoshino was photographed by famous shutterbug Yasumasa Yonehara. The book, whose creative direction was courtesy of Izaki, was published by Goma Books. The full color book features Hoshino in the cities of Hong Kong and Macau in a style Yonehara is famous for.

The photobook was distributed to a number of newsstands and bookstores in Japan, and was also made available to the international audience via www.kikstyoshop.com. KIKS TYO has also released a limited edition shirt collection of tees featuring Hoshino and Yonehara’s work, which was made available through a number of boutiques and through the label’s online store, as stated.

As for the future of KIKS TYO, looks like there’s no stopping Izaki. He says, “Nobody knows what tomorrow might bring, but I’d like to continue building and introducing the world to KIKS TYO.”

KIKS TYO merchandise can be purchased in a number of stores in the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, all throughout Europe and Asia, and through its official website, www.kikstyostore.com.