Five elements to check out to stay ahead of the football culture.
Perhaps it is the influence of the World Cup, but the number of people who are passionate about football culture is gradually increasing in the fashion scene as well. At this time, the Japanese edition of MUNDIAL JPN, a football magazine born in the U.K., has launched. MUNDIAL JPN has joined hands with JOURNAL STANDARD to hold pop-up events. In this issue, we will introduce five elements to anticipate football culture based on the efforts of these two magazines.
Football culture has been very active recently, and the World Cup seems to have given it an added boost. Mundial" is a magazine published by a soccer fan in Liverpool in 2014. Now in its 14th issue, the magazine has grown to become a favorite of core fans in England, the birthplace of football.
MUNDIAL JPN is the Japanese edition of this magazine. The first issue of the magazine features interviews with professional football players, as well as introductions to football items that can be easily incorporated into daily life, a fashion page, and coverage of kemari, an ancient Japanese kickball culture, to convey the appeal of football from a unique perspective. First, let's talk to the editor-in-chief, Chihiro Sasaki Burns, about her thoughts and ideas behind the launch of the magazine.
When I saw Mundial Japan, I frankly thought that the magazine was very different from other sports magazines.
SasakiWe felt that it was not our role to create a paper with content such as soccer scores or predictions for the future of professional leagues, as many media already do this. Football has a lot of culture surrounding it and has more multifaceted potential. We wanted to communicate more of that appeal. For example, we tried to incorporate uniforms as fashion. It has been exactly 25 years since the J-League was established in Japan, and 20 years since Japan participated in its first World Cup. I thought that if we could get people to like football more physically at this point in time, it would lead to future development.
Why did you take over the UK "Mundial" crown in Japan?
SasakiWe originally had the idea of creating a magazine, and we considered creating one from scratch on our own, but we came across "Mundial" at just the right time. When we looked at the magazine, it matched exactly the direction we had envisioned for the magazine. We contacted the people who actually make the magazine and asked them to share their ideas and thoughts on how they edit and create the magazine, and then we decided to publish it in Japan as Mundial Japan.
What specifically attracted you to "Mundial"?
SasakiI was taken by the fact that he simply loves football and enjoys sharing his love of football with others. I liked the variety and colorfulness of the content, and the fact that the magazine not only follows the present but also faces the events of the past. I was also attracted to the fact that the manuscripts are not stiff and written as if you were talking to a friend.
Have you yourself been exposed to soccer all your life?
SasakiThat's right. I started playing in the J-League just the year it started. I played in the club until high school, and then I also played in England for one season. After I came back, I worked in a soccer store, managed a soccer school, and was also in the advertising industry.
My life has been almost entirely devoted to soccer.
SasakiNow that I think about it, that may be true (laughs). (Laughs.) But thanks to that, I was able to meet many people who love football. I think about these people's faces as I plan my projects. It's not so much that I want to sell the magazine, but rather that I want people to get more involved with football! That's how I feel when I create the magazine.
What is important to you in the actual creation of the magazine?
SasakiI think it is about telling a story. For today's younger generation, it is a matter of course to participate in the World Cup. But when the Japanese national team participated in the World Cup for the first time, it was a very moving moment, wasn't it? I hope to convey those feelings by including photos of supporters from that time. I would be happy if people could understand, even if only a little, that it was then that the team became what it is today.
I can feel the football fever growing, but what kind of perspective do I need to have to enjoy it more?
SasakiThe J-League is not the only football league in Japan. Regional leagues also have sponsors and former national team players, and they are very well-developed. By paying attention to such regional leagues, I think we can enjoy the game more closely and with a broader perspective. I would also like people to visit the field. If you like to drink, it is very enjoyable to watch a game in the stadium with a beer, and it is unique to have a completely different view depending on where you watch the game, such as behind the goal or on the side pitches. Football has so many possibilities, and I think there are always connections to fashion and other things you like, so I would like people to start with that as an entry point to get interested.
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Wear MUNDIAL JPN x JOURNAL STANADRD!
If fashion lovers want to enjoy football culture even more, why not start by wearing it? Mundial Japan" has teamed up with "Journal Standard" and sports brand UMBRO to release collaborative items. Here we introduce some of the items.
UMBRO × MUNDIAL JPN〉Game shirt ¥11,000+TAX each
This game shirt with the "Mundial" emblem on the chest is a collaboration item with Umbro. The cool coloring matches the hot season. If you look closely at the pattern on the body, can you see the initials of the magazine's name? Another key point is the Japanese flag at the neck of the back of the shirt.
(MUNDIAL JPN × JOURNAL STANDARD) printed T-shirts ¥5,000 + tax each, pocket T-shirts (yellow and pink in the lower photo) ¥4,000 + tax
A variety of unique T-shirts with colorful expressions, including nostalgic homages to past Japanese national team uniforms and adorable characters drawn in 8-bit. Graphics are by street-savvy artists such as MHAK, COOK, Naoki Yamamoto, and Fatrat1976. The humor in the designs and the ease with which they can be incorporated into fashionable designs is a true testament to the quality of the work.
Last but not least, we introduce the three sacred items that can be used when going out to watch or play soccer, sublimated in the "Mundial" style. The football-inspired design will be useful not only in the stadium, but also in your daily life.
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Football culture as art to be enjoyed with the eyes and the heart.
Next, let's take a look at the fusion of football and art. This is the work of New York artist Bodega Rose. Bodega Rose, who is fond of plants, uses the ball as a flowerpot to upgrade the sport into something that can be seen and enjoyed as art.
Originally, she released many works using basketballs, but at the launch party for "Mundial Japan" held recently at "Journal Standard Omotesando," she created a work using an Umbro soccer ball. We asked Olivia, aka "Bodega Rose," to talk about her activities.
What is the concept behind Bodega Rose?
Olivia.I studied plants in college. At Bodega Rose, I try to combine my love of plants with street culture and the inspiration I get from the city of New York.
Why are you attracted to plants?
Olivia.My parents are plant lovers, and I have been surrounded by greenery since I was a child. Just having plants around me has a calming and healing effect. Unfortunately, Manhattan is full of concrete. So I wanted to create a space where I could enjoy plants, even if only inside the house.
At Bodega Rose, you use sports brand balls as vessels. How did you come up with the idea?
Olivia.The house was overflowing with plants and we finally ran out of pots. That's when the idea of using things around us was born. In New York, people play basketball all over the place, and there is a deep connection with sneaker culture and, by extension, the streets. It may be an unexpected combination, but it seemed very familiar to me.
I usually use a basketball for my artwork, but this time I used a soccer ball. Have your feelings changed?
Olivia.It is always exciting and fun to try new things in this way.
Do you feel that football is on the rise in New York City?
Olivia.I feel it very much. Just recently, at New York Fashion Week, a brand showed a collection with a lot of football elements. I see a lot of football advertisements around town, and I think it's definitely a hot topic.
Finally, what are your future goals for "Bodega Rose"?
Olivia.I have an upcoming exhibition at MOMA in New York, and I want to make it a success. I also want to create my own forest using a large venue. And I also plan to focus on apparel in the future, so I would be happy if you check it out.
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There's more! Goods and T-shirts to enjoy football!
In addition to the "Mundial Japan" collaboration items introduced earlier, Journal Standard also offers other goods and apparel. Wherever they dug up the items, they have also lined up items related to the World Cup of yesteryear and T-shirts with motifs of that band that captivates not only football fans but also music lovers!
Used〉Watch ¥4,000-5,000+TAX, Misanga ¥1,800+TAX, Plush toy ¥1,000+TAX, Key chain ¥1,500+TAX each, Badge ¥850+TAX, Pin badge ¥750+TAX each
T-shirts ¥4,200～¥5,000＋TAX
Official merchandise from past World Cups and boot (?) These used T-shirts with flashy graphics like the ones on the official World Cup merchandise and bootlegs (?) from past World Cups are eye-catching. These items are great for nostalgia, or as a topic of conversation, and will fit right in with your current mood. Please take note of the cute characters.
Noel & Liam Gallagher × Cummins〉T-shirts ¥6,000 + tax each
Printed photograph of the Gallagher brothers of Oasis taken by Manchester-born photographer Kevin Cummins. These two were together in 1994 when they released their debut album, "OASIS". The photo shows the two brothers in a friendly mood, which can be said to be very rare nowadays. Moreover, they are wearing the game shirts of their hometown team, Manchester City.
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Check out what happened at the "Mundial Japan" launch party, which was a great success!
Finally, we would like to report on the launch party for Mundial Japan held the other day at Journal Standard Omotesando. The event was a great success, with many people in attendance. Just by looking at a glimpse of the excitement, you can feel the passion of football culture.
First of all, a food corner was set up at the entrance to fill the visitors' stomachs. Since "Mundial" is a football culture magazine from the UK, the menu consisted of meatball sandwiches and fish & chips. They go great with the beer that was served along with them!
The background music at the venue was provided by Masaya Fantasista, the head of JAZZY SPORT, who is also known for his love of football. He set the mood with cool and light music.
With each passing hour, more and more people are gathering at the store. This time, the "Bodega Rose" workshop I mentioned earlier was held, and I was able to purchase one of her works. It was quite pleasant to see the works departing one after another.
At the "Mundial Japan" corner, a service was offered to create special prints on items made in collaboration with Umbro. Visitors also flocked to the Mundial Japan corner, where they could create their own original shirts.
From the start to the end of the event, Journal Standard Omotesando was overflowing with people. The large number of visitors attests to the excitement of football culture. The store is said to be preparing more football-related stories in the future, so let's first raise the fever inside ourselves by watching the World Cup and wait for the next news.
