A New View of Applebum with Hiiragi Uesugi. Part 2

A new view of Applebum with Hiiragi Uesugi. Part 2

In the first part of this issue, we showed you a photo shoot of Hiirahei Uesugi wearing the latest 2023AW collection of "APPLEBUM". In the second part of the interview, he talks about fashion, his friends, and his current state of mind as an actor, all centered on the common language of "HIP HOP" and "Tokyo. Whether you are familiar with "Applebum" or not, please feel the depth of the brand's appeal through the words of Hiiragi Uesugi.

Photo_Takaki Iwata

Hair_Takuya Baba (SEPT)

Model_Shuhei Uesugi

Writer_Atsutaro Ito

Edit_Yusuke Suzuki

The world of HIP HOP linked to my youth.

I see (laughs). Please tell us about your first encounter with Applebum.

Uesugi:I don't remember exactly when we first met. I don't remember exactly how we first met, but when I was in high school or college, we got together with some local friends and someone brought an Applebum basketball.

Also, almost 10 years ago, when KANDYTOWN LIFE was just starting out, we had a live performance at an event hosted by "Applebum". At that time, IO (a member of KANDYTOWN LIFE and a rapper) modeled for a fashion brand for the first time at "Applebum". All the members of KANDYTOWN LIFE are still grateful to this brand for all the support it has given us.

Were there any items in the "Applebum" archive that caught your attention?

Uesugi:They were all great. I was especially excited about the music collaborations. The artists and their album covers that I listened to in real life when I was in junior high school and high school are all here, including 2PAC, Snoop Dogg's first album cover design, Mary J. Blige, and Wu-Tang Clan. It's a great lineup for black music lovers of our generation.

I was particularly impressed by the remake of the M-65 in collaboration with NAS. The attention to detail is incredible, and just like the Aritayaki red cup mentioned earlier, it is a mix of Okayama craftsmen and American hip-hop legends from Applebum's point of view. It's not just about copying the form, but also incorporating Japanese culture. It is truly a brand from Tokyo.

Do you always like brands and items with music in the background, such as Applebum?

Uesugi:Naturally, I like it and have been wearing it for a long time. Recently, I often think about how difficult it is to do official collaborations like this, and how amazing the brands that do it are. Now that I am older, I have a better understanding of the circumstances of the world's clothing production, and I appreciate it more than I did when I just liked to wear it.

The collaborative deck with skate company N.T. Original (N.T orijginal) and the collaborative cap with Dr. Dre's "The Chronic," one of the most influential albums in the history of Hip Hop. And the basketballs that "Applebum" continues to release on a regular basis, which have left a lasting impression on Hiiragi Uesugi, are one of the faces of the brand.