Mastermind and A Bathing Ape first concept store opens door

Mastermind and A Bathing Ape have collaborated to open their first crossover concept store in Hong Kong.

The store, which opened on Saturday in Causeway Bay, features a streetwear collection from the two Japanese brands.

Decked out in black and white with accents of gold, the store combines the “gothic underworld” of Mastermind with A Bathing Ape’s neon-highlighted fun persona. Marble is used extensively in both the interior and exterior, with metallic racks to create “a sophisticated and imposing atmosphere” according to a spokesperson for the brands.

“A concrete visual wall embodies the brand’s rebellious spirit while the artfully placed Japanese window blinds add a refined touch from Japan. The op-art style ‘Y’ patterned tile flooring appears to extend endlessly to promote a mysterious and sci-fi sense of scale.” Another highlight is the mastermind x Mobile Suit Gundam Zaku figure in black with the brand’s unique skull and crossbones logo at the entrance.

Mastermind was conceived by Masaaki Homma in Japan 1997 after eight years as a Yohji Yamamoto sales representative. The name Mastermind Japan stems from ‘M’asaaki and his tribute to his father who is a master hairdresser. The brand’s skull logo “symbolises the battle between good and evil, which underscores the ethos of the brand saying ‘Don’t Give Up Your Dream Until You Die’,” Homma explains.

Mastermind Japan shut its doors in 2013 with a view to focusing on collaborative projects but later re-entered the fashion scene with the shorter ‘Mastermind’ brand name.

The military-inspired Mastermind and A Bathing Ape 2018 Fall-Winter capsule collection launched in the new store features a series of hooded sweatshirts, short-sleeved t-shirts, shorts, cap and mask emblazoned with the codes of both brands: camouflage, skull and shark head.

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