SOPH
Founded in 1998 by Hirofumi Kiyonaga, SOPH began with a focus on minimalist design and sophisticated everyday wear. The brand drew inspiration from details faithful to the original purpose of surplus clothing and materials developed for outdoor use, incorporating high functionality into casual everyday wear. Later, they incorporated materials like binchotan charcoal, reflecting a Japanese aesthetic, to express functional beauty. Their philosophy of integrating functionality into fashion to create comfortable, real-world clothing for urban dwellers significantly influenced subsequent street fashion, and their innovative perspective garnered attention. Subsequently, they developed collections focusing on creations from diverse fields, such as Sori Yanagi and Charles and Ray Eames. Even after changing their brand name from SOPH to SOPHNET in 2002, they continued to collaborate with contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima, British art master Julian Opie, and American artist Jack Pierson, releasing a series of garments that fused fashion and art. In 2007, SOPHNET. created the first collection for Nike Heritage ACG, imbuing the legacy of Nike ACG with SOPHNET.'s sophistication and simplicity. By systematically bringing together essences from various cultures such as music, art, and industrial design into a single fashion, the brand established its identity. Combining all the essential elements of modern men's fashion, including street, outdoor, and traditional styles, SOPHNET. continues to evolve as a leading example of a domestic brand that has contributed to the maturation of the industry.