h.NAOTO has changed and influenced Gothic Lolita fashion worldwide. The h.NAOTO brand has transformed Japanese sub-cultures such as Gothic Lolita, Punk, Visual Kei, Cosplay and Anime into a new category of fashion. Musicians including GACKT, X-JAPAN’s YOSHIKI and SUGIZO have collaborated with h.NAOTO.
Beginning in 2010, h.NAOTO has been attending exhibitions like JAPAN EXPO in France and ANIME EXPO in America. h.NAOTO has stores all over Japan, from Tokyo to Osaka. In 2011 h.NAOTO opened the first shop in America in San Francisco. h.NAOTO is also recognized by international musicians such as Marilyn Manson, Evanescence and Aerosmith.
h.NAOTO Official / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Designer Blog
Designer Kunitomo Takeshi, of the T-KUNITOMO brand, began the new brand, gouK, in 2003. Japanese patterns and motifs are the focus of gouK. gouK integrates new and old styles into casual Wa designs to create a contemporary retro style. Motifs of nature’s beauty and mystery accent chic and elegant designs.
gouK’s Sumi line features monochromatic Japanese ink calligraphy motifs.
gouK Official / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Designer Blog
Sixh. is a music and fashion collaboration brand created by designers IBI and MINT.
IBI designs neo-visual fashion with MINT in a Japanesque avant garde fashion style and is one of the leading fashion brands in Japan. The Sixh. line has incorporated on-stage fashion into original casual collections for everyday life. In 2012, IBI’s collection was split into a new women’s fashion brand called Nine and the existing unisex men’s line. Sixh. represents an original story that mixes fashion, graphic design and music. The Sixh. Opera is the culmination of that story which will be performed and known worldwide.
Sixh. Official / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Designer Blog
One of the original designers of Sixh., MINT, has created his own collection called MINT NeKO. MINT NeKO glorifies oriental silhouettes inspired by avant garde style, lightened-up with original cat character graphics. There have been over 200 original kitty characters that have been created and featured in the garments of the MINT NeKO line. MINT has created collaboration cat characters with many Japanese musicians and is becoming one of the most popular leading young designers in Japan.
MINT NeKO Official / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Designer Blog
HANGRY&ANGRY are two cat dolls that were thrown away. They are evil, cruel, brutal, and grotesque dolls that have an interesting and humorous story. In 2004, h.NAOTO’s cosplay and character brand,“CHANNEL H”, collaborated with illustrator GASHICON to create cute and grotesque characters.
HANGRY&ANGRY has been featured in the popular DEATH NOTE live-action movie. There has also been a collaboration for a musical project called HANGRY&ANGRY FUTURE that includes original Morning Musume members Hitomi Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa. HANGRY&ANGRY is a dynamic, creative brand that has expanded its characters into the world of fashion, music, and comics.
H&A Official / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Designer Blog
Designer Z8 studied and graduated from Tokyo Mode Gakuen. In July 2008 GRAMM had her debut under the h.NAOTO brand. In October of 2009, her designs debuted in Tokyo Collection during Fashion Week in Tokyo.
GRAMM is inspired by dark fantasy. Z8 designed her collection around the original fairytale story of Alpyu and Lokyu, who are on a search for key to unlock the world of dreams. GRAMM’s collection features layers and lace but is made for comfort. This style is an evolution of Lolita and becoming more popular in Japan.
GRAMM Official / Website / Designer Blog
