Steiff Japan/MS1880, a top-quality plush toy brand founded in Germany in 1880 and known to the world as the first to market teddy bears, has announced its fourth collaboration with fragment design, a project led by world-renowned creator Hiroshi Fujiwara. Only 1,000 special-edition teddy bears will be available to purchase when sales begin on June 25.

Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment design project has teamed up with a number of brands in the past, including Nike, Converse, and Levi’s. In past collaborations with Steiff, fans have been able to grab special keychains, a teddy bear rug, and more. 

My First Fragment: ¥9,900 (Tax Included)

The ‘My First Fragment’ plushie is 26cm tall and is a striking shade of black, symbolic of the fragment design project. The brand’s thunderbolt appears on the bear’s chest and ‘My First FRGMT’ is embroidered on one of its feet. Part of the Cuddly Friends series, this teddy bear is soft to the touch and begging for a hug, making it perfect for babies and small children. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having it on your desk at work as well!

Preorders will be open for those purchasing a bear from Isetan Shinjuku and Hankyu Umeda starting June 22.

Don’t miss out on this unique collaboration! After all, who could have expected a 120-year-old teddy bear company to release an item with so much Japanese streetwear flare?

Vogue Japan has launched a special collaboration between actor Mugi Kadowaki and ballet dancer Shoko Nakamura for its YouTube channel. The video is now available to watch and shows how dance is bringing new life and light to the stillness caused by two years of the pandemic. This project is also linked to the April issue of Vogue Japan released on March 2 which features newly-shot photos of the performers that can only be seen in the magazine.

The first collaboration featured Mitsuki Takahata and RIEHATA. Kadowaki, who once dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer, later gave up on that dream. In this collab, she challenges that part of herself again as a form of self-expression. The video shows pro dancer Shoko Nakamura meeting with the actress to warm up and practice. Check out the full video on the Vogue Japan YouTube channel, complete with performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.

The choreography theme is ‘the past and the future,’ with the first half of the dance inspired by two people meeting in the past and crossing paths again. In the second half, the artists try to express themselves using paint.

“I made it a priority to move freely,” Nakamura said. Drenched in colorful paints, the two danced playfully. “I feel so refreshed,” Kadowaki said after filming ended. “If you’re stressed  or in a situation where you’re having a hard time being around people, just to the park and dance.”

Nakamura reflected on the collaboration with a smile. “I think each of us went into this with our own thoughts and goals, but the second the music started, we just let it move us.”

The hotel sequence MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya has opened an entire floor in collaboration with the THUNDERBOLT PROJECT BY FRGMT & POKEMON! Reservations for Pokemon-themed rooms are available until March 20, 2022.

This project was started by JUN Co., Ltd. as the first hotel project by THUNDERBOLT PROJECT BY FRGMT & POKEMON, a joint project between Pokemon and Hiroshi Fujiwara. Fans of the original Pokemon games will be over the moon in these guest rooms!

Left: Guest Room (King) / Right: 16F Hallway

Bonus Items

The entire 16th floor of sequence MIYASHITA PARK has been transformed by the THUNDERBOLT PROJECT. The corridor is covered in artificial grass to make guests feel as though Pokemon could suddenly appear! The guest rooms include Pokemon-themed amenities, including original wallpaper, cushions, mats, and maps. Guests also get special goods to take home!

Hotel Store Items

A store on the 16th floor will be open exclusively for guests participating in the Pokemon plan, selling limited-edition THUNDERBOLT PROJECT items only available during this event.

©Pokemon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

VOGUE GIRL is a leading new-generation web magazine picking up the latest in international trends for women. Its most popular feature is Girl of the Month which offers a close-up of a different girl every month where they serve their own fashion stories.

Donning the February 2021 issue is Japanese singer-songwriter milet. The J-pop and indie pop artist made her major debut in 2019 and is known for her deep, husky voice and global song writing. She released her first studio album in 2020 and went on to perform on the Japanese New Year’s Eve special Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Now, the successful singer makes her first front cover appearance in VOGUE GIRL where she is serving a modern look with monochrome stripes and a chicness reminiscent of the kabuki industry. Her eye-catching scarlet cape is lined with feathers while her floral dress gives us romantic vibes. It’s a seamless combination of striking red, black, and white.

“I wore clothes, makeup, and a hairstyle I never usually wear,” explains milet speaking about her feature in the magazine. “But I discovered a side of myself I never knew before. I had a lot of fun. It made me want to challenge myself to express in other ways too.”

An editor at VOGUE GIRL said: “milet’s well-polished beauty and combination of white, black, and red, which are strong, powerful colours, created this magical chemistry that resulted in the finished photoshoot. I want people to experience her unique charm in the photos and video for themselves. She wears the clothes; the clothes don’t wear her, no matter what they are.”

milet featured in VOGUE GIRL‘s “90 Second Challenge” video series where she talks about the songs she likes to listen to in the morning to give her energy, introduces her favourite spots in Tokyo, what she would like to eat as her final meal, and more.”

Fans can watch a special performance by milet over on VOGUE GIRL + Live! here.

Springtime this year saw MANON move her work to Tokyo where she is now based. Her new song WORLD’S END feat.dodo is a graduation track that was recorded at the end of her time at high school. It’s a bittersweet pop number, and an emotional one that sings of love.

The song invites the easygoing and chill ‘nerd’ rapper dodo on board whose popularity continues to surge. His song im was released last year and has almost 4 million views on YouTube. WORLD’S END feat.dodo sees two worlds clash together: the cute and stylish MANON admired by girls of her age, and rapper dodo, whose style is based around looking unpopular.

Music Video

Japanese musician, producer and designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, who is big in the Harajuku street culture scene, has also provided a remix of the track. He’s laid down a luxurious ground beat and melded in a melody that’s both an homage to funky disco and includes plenty of new classic vibes.

The original song is produced by YUPPA (HNC) who has worked on all of MANON’s tracks before this. The CD cover for the original version is drawn by illustrator mako arai who also directed the music video that is being released together with the song. The CD cover for the remix version was designed by Hiroshi Fujiwara himself.

Starbucks Coffee Japan will sell a stainless bottle set produced by fragment design – a design project produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara – from December 18, 2019. The set will consist of the Starbucks Ware® Stainless Steel Bottle fragment (500ml), fragment Coffee Essence Colombia coffee sticks and special design paper cups.

To purchase, enter the online lottery draw which starts on November 5. Those who are successfully chosen will have the opportunity to purchase the set from specified Starbucks cafes or from the online store. 

fragment design started collaborating with Starbucks back in 2012. The November 2019 collaboration will see the release of the first ever stainless steel vessel which comes with cups. The fragment design and Starbucks logos decorate a matte black-themed background, making for an artistic design that you will never get tired of seeing. The vacuum insulation of the bottle makes it highly effective at reducing heat transfer, retaining the original temperature of your hot or cold drink for longer. The material is highly durable and the bottle’s capacity is equal to that of a Starbucks grande. The set comes with three Colombia coffee sticks and three original paper cups so you can enjoy the classic flavours of Starbucks just by pouring hot water. 

Starbucks Ware® is made using an original manufacturing method. The coffee in the set boasts Starbucks’ high-quality and delicious flavour. The coffee sticks allow you to easily prepare a cup of your favourite coffee at any time and even when on the go. Just add hot water and milk to your liking to enjoy a cup of irresistible flavours. The cups feature the same black theme as the fragment design Stainless Steel Bottle. 

This is a great chance to enjoy the flavours of Starbucks anywhere and anytime in a stylish bottle.

The theme of Vogue Japan’s May 2019 issue is “Asia Rising” in which it covers all you need to know about fashion, entertainment and culture in Asia, including the lifestyles of women across the continent, a full guide to cities and more.

Look forward to seeing a new interpretation of silhouettes made bold by Japanese designers in the 70s and 80s, the latest fashion reports of countries throughout Asia, brand introductions by internationally-recognised designer―the list goes on. If you’re searching for the latest in Asian fashion then look no further.

VOGUE JAPAN May 2019 © 2019 Condé Nast Japan. All rights reserved. (Photo: Giampaolo Sgura)

The issue’s front cover features a shot of Japanese models Miki and UTA. Combining western and eastern beauty, the refined look was forged by leading stylist Paul Cavaco and shot by and by photographer Giampaolo Sgura.

Check out a special behind-the-scenes video of the shoot here.

Denim by Vanquish & Fragment is a collaborative brand between fashion brand Vanquish and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design. The final collection of the line―the 19S/S Collection―is set to go on sale on February 23, 2019.

Denim by Vanquish & Fragment was first made public at the Vanquish 2011 Spring/Summer Collection fashion show in 2010. The following year, in 2011, the brand arrived at Vanquish stores. It has now been on the market for 9 years.

1st Collaborative Denim Line From 2011

The 19S/S Collection incorporates neon colours in its designs with the brand’s iconic denim pants as the main apparel. It includes the first women’s denim line as well as a range of accessories like an 18K chain and other miscellaneous items such as mugs and a luggage box. Those who purchase “DENIM BY” items in the line will also receive a free novelty. These are limited in stock.

A pop-up store will also open to commemorate the final collection.

Denim Pants: Straight / Tapered / Wide / Skinny / Angle Cut / Jogger Pants

Women’s Denim Pants: Rigid Tapered / Skinny

Don’t miss out on the final collection of this hugely popular and well-recognised collaborative brand.

A pop-up store for Hiroshi Fujiwara and Pokémon’s collaborative Thunderbolt Project is set to hit mainland Japan for the first time at Ginza Sony Park from November 24 to December 2.

The pop-up shop is teaming up with THE CONVENI, a concept store and new take on the convenience store by Fujiwara. A range of items will be sold by the Thunderbolt Project brand including those that were popular at Hypefest. There will also be kid’s sizes available for the first time as well as a line-up of items exclusive to Ginza.

Advance bookings will be entered into a lottery draw for attendance. New information as well as first looks at the Ginza exclusive items will be made available on the pop-up shop’s official social media so be sure to check there before visiting.

It has been announced that Laforet Harajuku will attend Vogue Fashion’S Night Out (FNO) set to take place on Saturday September 15.

FNO was first held in 2009 at the call of editor-in-chief of Vogue US Anna Wintour. It is the world’s biggest shopping event that seeks to revitalize fashion industry and boost its economic recovery.

Laforet Harajuku, which was established 40 years ago, will join the 10^th FNO for a collaboration titled ‘VOGUE GIRL×LA40RET Festival.’ Laforet Harajuku will extend its opening times so people can enjoy all the special plans they have in store for each of its shop on this one-day event.

An opening ceremony for VOGUE GIRL×LA40RET Festival will take place at the 6^th floor Laforet Museum Harajuku. There will also be a special Mickey Mouse 90^th anniversary collection fashion show, a festive styling show and DJ performance by VOGUE GIRL, and more.

Fashion lovers won’t want to miss out on this very special one-day-only event!

In The Bag is a popular series by Vogue where celebrities showcase what’s inside their bags. Big names that have featured on the series include Victoria Beckham, Taylor Hill, Zoë Kravitz and many more.

Vogue Japan have featured AMIAYA on their list, a model and DJ twin duo massively famous as Tokyo pop fashion icons.

We get to see the full scope of their stylish bags which include everything from their favourite purses to make-up pouches, sunglasses, and sparkly accessories. Despite the contents of their bags being different there’s something that still unifies the two of them.

They also discuss their favourite towns, what they do on their days off, what type of partner they like and more.

In The Bag – AMIAYA: https://www.vogue.co.jp/fashion/trends/VJ1012-InTheBag-2018-08ORIG_AmiAya/videos

Check out the video for yourself and you might even discover some fashion tips!

Namie Amuro will be featured on the front cover and in the Fashion Story section of the October 2018 edition of VOGUE JAPAN which goes on sale from August 28.

Well-established photography duo Luigi & Iango are responsible for snapping these shots of the Queen of Japanese Pop. She is clad and cool in Saint Laurent’s 2018 fall and winter collection. This is the first monochrome front cover page in VOGUE JAPAN since the July 2001 edition – 17 years ago.

The new edition also comes with a special Namie Amuro poster and features an interview with her as she looks back over her 25-year career as a music artist, discussing topics from music to live shows since her debut.

Namie Amuro fans won’t want to miss out on this exclusive edition.