“We strive to energise the city by integrating into the culture of Harajuku.” Interview with SHOHEI KATO, the founder of HEIHEI
When walking on the streets of Harajuku, one often sees Japanese girls wearing iconic designs – nostalgic yet contemporary clothing such as checkered dresses, sailor collars, berets etc. These attention-grabbing and memorable styles belong to the fashion designer Shohei Kato’s independent fashion brand, HEIHEI, founded after graduating from the Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo. Having spent his entire student life in Harajuku, Shohei Kato was deeply influenced by the street culture, leading him to establish a brand with a distinctive Harajuku flavour and a strong personal style. Over the past ten years since its founding, HEIHEI has brought a unique visual impact under his direction. By blending nostalgic culture with modern taste, we witness a unique style imbued with the characteristics of Japan from the 80s to the 2000s. Even in the present day, it feels like stepping into the past old day of Japan. This year, 2024, marks the tenth year since HEIHEI was established. To commemorate this milestone, a fashion show was held on the top floor of Laforet Harajuku. With a consistent style throughout years, it showcased the passion for Harajuku culture to the public. Despite significant changes in Harajuku culture over the past decade, Shohei Kato hopes to bring joy and make this city even more lively through the brand.
