Jun Takahashi

Jun Takahashi
Born
高橋盾 (Takahashi Jun)

(1969-09-21) September 21, 1969 (age 55)
Kiryū, Japan
Other namesJonio
EducationBunka Fashion College
OccupationFashion designer
LabelUndercover
SpouseMorishita Riko
Children2
Dress for the Undercover spring/summer 2024 collection, featured in the Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Look 27, Creep Very (Fall/Winter 2021). Collection inspired by the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime.

Jun Takahashi (高橋 盾, Takahashi Jun, IPA: [takahaɕi dʑɯɴ]; born 21 September 1969) is a Japanese fashion designer who created the brand Undercover.

Early life and education

Takahashi was born in Kiryū, Gunma. He attended Gunma Kiryu Nishi High School. In 1988, he enrolled in Fashion Education at Bunka Fashion College. In his free time, he was the vocal lead for the cover band "Tokyo Sex Pistols",[1] where his role model was Vivienne Westwood.[2]

Career

In 1993, he launched Undercover, a high-end streetwear label for men, women and children.[3] Also in 1993, he launched Nowhere, a retail venture in Ura-Harajuku with his friend Nigo, the founder of BAPE. In 1994–1995 he participated in Tokyo Fashion Week. In 1995 the Nowhere Ltd. company store opened in Harajuku.[4]

Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo who created the brand Comme des Garçons, became Jun's mentor and persuaded him to come to Paris. The Paris store Colette liked his clothes so much that they asked Takahashi to present his 1998 collection "Exchange" in their store.

Undercover made its debut at Paris Fashion Week in October 2002, for Spring/Summer 2003.

Takahashi also creates activewear lines for men and women under the label Nike x Undercover Gyakusou, with the sportswear giant. Additionally, Takahashi has collaborated with Uniqlo to create Uniqlo Undercover, since 2011.[5]

In 2021, Takahashi created artwork and an animated music video for "Creep (Very 2021 Rmx)", a remixed version of the 1992 Radiohead song "Creep". Radiohead singer Thom Yorke contributed the remix to one of Takahashi's fashion shows.[6]

Personal life

Takahashi has a son, Rin, and daughter, Lala Takahashi, and is married to Morishita Riko, with whom he worked for the Uniqlo collaboration.[7]

Awards and achievements

In 1997, he received the New Face Prize in Mainichi fashion grand prize sponsored by the Mainichi national daily newspaper. In 2001, he received the Grand Prize in Mainichi fashion grand prize sponsored by the Mainichi national daily newspaper. In 2013, he received the Grand Prize in Mainichi fashion grand prize for the second time.[8]

References

  1. ^ Tokyo Sex Pistols Jun Takahashi Undercover. Retrieved 2024-04-25 – via www.youtube.com.
  2. ^ "Jun Takahashi, Undercover's Elegant Punk". 2 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Jun Takahashi is part of the BoF 500". 29 February 2024.
  4. ^ "NIGO® & Jun Takahashi: NOWHERE". HYPEBEAST. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  5. ^ "UNDERCOVER x Uniqlo Announce New Clothing Line". Complex. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  6. ^ Legaspi, Althea (2021-07-13). "Hear Thom Yorke, Radiohead's Sprawling 'Creep (Very 2021 Rmx)'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  7. ^ Amith, Dennis A. (2018-01-04). "The One about visiting Jun Takahashi's MADSTORE UNDERCOVER concept store at Laforet Harajuku".
  8. ^ "World Of U | Undercover". www.undercoverism.com. Archived from the original on 2015-02-22.
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