![]() It started carrying mostly UNDERCOVER products and NIGO’s outsourced American and vintage items that also included hard-to-find sneakers. NOWHERE opened its doors in 1993 and was considered the quintessential store in Harajuku for the best streetwear brands. After Fujiwara, friends NIGO and Jun Takahashi continued the column in the form of “Last Orgy 2.” Consequently, the duo also used the platform as a springboard for their first collaborative retail shop, NOWHERE. It became a late night television show and would lay the inspirational groundwork for contemporary Japanese fashion brands. Around 1988, street culture legend Hiroshi Fujiwara started a column in Takarajima magazine called “Last Orgy,” which explored hip-hop, punk, DJing and skate culture. The late ’80s and early ’90s played a crucial part to the formation of UNDERCOVER. “We Make Noise, Not Clothes” is more than just one of the label’s popular slogans, it’s a testament to the creative force Jun Takahashi has become over the years. ![]() Here, we explore some of the works and concepts that has pushed the Japanese brand to the forefront of fashion and beyond, from its early Ura-Harajuku days to its ever-expanding global presence in high-end, fast retail and street culture. UNDERCOVER just celebrated its 25th anniversary last year - its longevity is evidenced by the dedicated fans who’ve always had an unyielding trust for Mr. Naturally, in everything Jun Takahashi does, the avant-garde element will always be at play no matter what. He’s even created sculptures, homeware products, toys and films that fully exhibit the house’s powerfully imaginative vision. We see this in Jun Takahashi’s other ambitious projects as well, such as NOWHERE (his retail shop with NIGO), his diffusion lines and fruitful collaborations with BAPE, Uniqlo, Nike, and Supreme to name a few. Progress is paramount and the label gets courageously creative every year, while still passionately keeping in focus its rebelliously street and punk-centric narrative. In 2013, he received the Grand Prize in Mainichi fashion grand prize for the second time.It’s within that promise that UNDERCOVER will always be seen as one of fashion’s most groundbreaking design houses. In 2001, he received the Grand Prize in Mainichi fashion grand prize sponsored by the Mainichi national daily newspaper. In 1997, he received the New Face Prize in Mainichi fashion grand prize sponsored by the Mainichi national daily newspaper. Takahashi has a son, Rin, and daughter, Lala Takahashi, and is married to Morishita Riko, with whom he worked for the Uniqlo collaboration. Radiohead singer Thom Yorke contributed the remix to one of Takashi's fashion shows. In 2021, Takahashi created artwork and an animated music video for "Creep (Very 2021 Rmx)", a remixed version of the 1992 Radiohead song " Creep". ![]() Additionally, Takahashi has collaborated with Uniqlo to create Uniqlo Undercover, since 2011. Takahashi also creates activewear lines for men and women under the label Nike x Undercover Gyakusou, with the sportswear giant. Undercover made its debut at Paris Fashion Week in October 2002, for Spring/Summer 2003. The Paris store Colette liked his clothes so much that they asked Takahashi to present his 1998 collection "Exchange" in their store. Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo who created the brand Comme des Garcons, became Jun's mentor and persuaded him to come to Paris. In 1994–1995 he participated in Tokyo Fashion Week. Also in 1993, he launched Nowhere, a retail venture in Ura-Harajuku with his friend Nigo, the founder of BAPE. ![]() In 1993, he launched Undercover, a high-end streetwear label for men, women and children. In his free time, he was the vocal lead for the cover band " Tokyo Sex Pistols", where his role model was Vivienne Westwood. In 1988, he enrolled in Fashion Education at Bunka Fashion College. He attended Gunma Kiryu Nishi High School. Jun Takahashi ( 高橋 盾, Takahashi Jun, IPA: born 21 September 1969) is a Japanese fashion designer who created the brand Undercover. ![]()
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