Hiroshi Fujiwara

Book excerpt: The first monograph on the "godfather of streetwear," this book pays homage to Hiroshi Fujiwara's influence on contemporary fashion, music, and design. The most comprehensive book devoted to the extensive work of Hiroshi Fujiwara-a pioneer in streetwear, music, and art, and the ultimate arbiter of cool. Known internationally as one of the founding fathers of Tokyo's Harajuku scene, Fujiwara exerts a disproportionate influence over contemporary design culture. Having collaborated with the likes of Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood as a teenager in the early 1980s, he merged a seminal interest in punk with hip-hop and skate culture to become one of Japan's principal tastemakers. A musician and producer, Fujiwara is also one of the most prolific sneaker designers, and his kicks are some of the most sought-after collectibles. In addition to his very visible and long-standing collaborations with Nike, he has authored a number of fashion lines and is at the head of the Tokyo-based Fragment Design. Chronicling his reign as the arbiter of hip for more than thirty years, this book presents the breadth of his career, including sections on his highly sought-after artwork and graphics, sneakers, product design, and curated personal effects. With contributions by Sarah Lerfel and Ino Hidefumi, this graphically inspired book provides a unique glimpse into one of the most influential tastemakers of our time and is the perfect follow-up to Rizzoli's Pharrell: Places and Spaces I've Been.