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Archive
June 02, 2023 The Kings of Kawaii: How Mascots Became Japan's Greatest Marketing Stunt
Also known as Yuru-chara, roughly translating to “loose characters”, this keyword is used for the thousands of mascots found in Japan. Ranging from dinky to gigantic, from fuzzy to ugly, but mostly, unquestionably cute, these mascots spread across the country and are used to promote a region, a governmental institution, companies, and events. Believe it or not, even some jails in Japan have mascots, too, just highlighting how vast these furry little friends can wander.
May 23, 2023 What Makes Design “Modern”?
Something you’ve more than likely heard a thousand times, “modern design” is a term given as a label to so many different facets in current culture. From architecture and interior design to sculpture and even fashion. The words are now used so ambiguously that I feel we’re losing touch of what it means and if it’s even the way of the future, let’s discuss.
May 14, 2023 How Mid-Century American Denim became An Obsession For Japan
The iconic blue jean may be one of America’s biggest cultural exports, but it’s in Japan where you’ll find the best denim in the world today. From the high-end selvedge fabrics churned out at the prestigious mills in Kojima to the highly coveted jeans from influential brands like the Osaka five, “Made in Japan” denim has become a signifier for not only quality and durability, but also of artistry.
April 19, 2023 "Dazed and Confused" - The Fundamental Stoner Movie
"Dazed and Confused" is a film that holds a special place in the hearts of many. Released in 1993, it was a coming-of-age comedy set in the summer of 1976, directed by Richard Linklater. The film follows a group of high school students on the last day of school, as they navigate parties, hazing rituals, and the general ups and downs of teenage life. For many viewers, "Dazed and Confused" was an instant classic.
April 17, 2023 One Block Down x Cassina "The Right Chair"
One Block Down and Cassina have once again joined to develop a unique interpretation of the iconic Leggera chair, originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1951 for Cassina. This exciting partnership brings together two industry leaders to showcase the beauty of contemporary craftsmanship and industrialization while celebrating an icon of Italian design innovated.
March 30, 2023 One Block Down "Global Neighborhood" x Nike Air Max Day 2023
On the occasion of Air Max Day 2023, One Block Down got in touch with biking communities in Milan and Paris, understanding what "Give Fresh Air" means for them and how, through their passion and activity, these communities are creating new values and inspiring the youth.
March 02, 2023 JDM Culture
Thanks to excellent design, performance, and affordability, Japanese vehicles have dominated the global racing and car community for decades. Since Japan’s industrial boom in the 1960s, Japan has become one of the largest car producing countries globally. These vehicles were exported around the world, and quickly developed a subculture of loyal fanatics within the broader car community.
March 02, 2023 Iconic Mayhem – The Yakuza Games
The Yakuza franchise is beloved and truly unique. Originally released in 2005, you play as a professional criminal, Kazuma Kiryu, after he goes to prison for a crime he did not commit and each game sees you be reintroduced to the dark underbelly of the Yakuza and the underworld of Japan.
March 02, 2023 Oakleys in Movies - Pop Culture’s King
Performance-driven brand Oakley have been pioneers of eyewear ever since they were founded in 1975. Born in California, they are worn by A-list celebrities, ultimate athletes, and everyone in between. As Y2K fashion heroes they are everywhere in pop culture from around the era including TV and film. Found in countless franchises, some fan favourite films include X-Men, Blade, and Mission Impossible.
February 14, 2023 One Block Down x Cassina "Chromatic Floating Opposites"
One Block Down collaborates with Cassina, marking their second collaboration, to present the latest version of the Zig Zag chair that honors the significance of De Stijl three striking colors which the architect used to express the true essentiality of the object’s form
January 08, 2023 Taking it to the Max - UK Boy Racers and The Max Power Generation
When you're a teenager, there are many things you desperately want to find: friends, fun, a future, freedom. In post-war America, teenagers found all of that just by getting in their cars. Not just contempt with driving, young car owners of the 50s saw their vehicle as an extension of their personality — and as such they customised them to reflect their individuality and uniqueness.
December 16, 2022 Timberland x Bee Line
One Block Down teams up with @redlongo to present the latest collaboration between Timberland and Bee Line, now at their ninth collaborative project. The capsule collection celebrates the past and takes ownership of the future with the iconic rubber toe boot reappearing in classic monochromatic colourways.
December 06, 2022 The Subcultural Influence and Success of New Balance in the UK
New Balance is one of the most relevant footwear brands worldwide, from its origins in the Boston area to every corner of the globe. Together with Cold Archive, One Block Down looked into the history and legacy of this brand in the UK, from the opening of the Flimby factory to the success in various subcultures.
November 28, 2022 The Art of Airbrush Tees
The t-shirt might be one of the most simple and modest garments in our wardrobes, but equipped with the right message or visual cue it can become one of the most powerful forms of self expression. Screen printing is one of the most common ways to apply a visual, but some creatives have applied to alternative techniques to realise their vision.
October 20, 2022 One Block Down and FC Internazionale Milano partners for the new "Highlight the Future" campaign, presenting the new club Third Kit
Inter DNA is deeply linked with its historical values and strong bond and relation with the city of Milan. For this reason, One Block Down decided to work on a campaign for the new team Third Kit that could show both entities' links with the city and the cutting-edge and contemporary look of this new kit.
October 15, 2022 How PlayStation Tapped Underground Club Culture to Forever Change the Face of Gaming
When Sony launched the Playstation in the UK in September 1995, it not only revolutionized the gaming market with its ground-breaking console technologically, but it simultaneously transformed the whole industry culturally too.
October 11, 2022 How TOMMY JEANS Established Itself as a Staple of Street Culture
In the history and legacy of American fashion, only a few designers' names stand out as much as Tommy Hilfiger. The designer was one of the main acts working to innovate style in the US by understanding the potential and creativity of engaging with subcultures, while most other brands at the time stood still on old-minded principles.
October 05, 2022 Opinel N°08 by One Block Down: Release Date, Price & How To Buy
One Block Down is proud to announce its latest partnership with Opinel for an exclusive makeover of their iconic Opinel N°08 knife. Click here for full release information and the chance to explore the project’s immersive multimedia campaign.
September 18, 2022 How the Pictures Generation Challenged the Concept of Originality and Authenticity
The name "Pictures Generation" comes from a 1977 exhibition held at Artist's Space in New York, featuring the work of Troy Brauntuch, Jack Goldstein, Sherrie Levine, Robert Longo, and Philip Smith. They showed a critical analysis and view of US culture, demonstrating the dominance of consumerism in the population.
September 17, 2022 Asian Extreme at its Finest - Takashi Miike and his Fascination of Violence
Among the names of Kinji Fukasaku, Takeshi Kitano, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa, there was another film prodigy that established himself as a prominent figure in the scene of gruesome, horror, and violence films in the late 20th century, Takashi Miike. Employing over-the-top plots and unapologetically capitalizing on violence, Miike in the early days of his career is a one of a kind director that fascinated the world with the so-called “Asian Extreme” genre.
September 11, 2022 How the Mafia K'1 Fry Showed the Aesthetic of the Suburbs
In the 90s, French rap groups mainly took inspiration from American rappers, with the best-selling artists signed to major labels that hired commercial directors for their videos. The Mafia K'1 Fry collective decided to keep an authentic aesthetic that would change forever how the French suburbs were portrayed.
September 09, 2022 Amapiano: The Online Heartbeat of SA's Youth Culture
Over the past year, Amapiano has taken over dancefloors and playlists around the world and has become the driving force behind some of TikToks most viral dance challenges. But where did the sound come from? For those unlucky enough to be uninitiated, Amapiano is an electronic music movement - created and still most popular - in the townships of South Africa’s Gauteng province.
August 29, 2022 The Game Boy Color - The Story of a Childhood Icon
The Game Boy Color was initially released in Japan on October 21st, 1998, while it was released in the rest of the world in November. As the successor of the Game Boy, it represented a new step in the history of Nintendo, the GB line, and a piece of childhood for millions of people worldwide.
August 28, 2022 How The A$AP Mob Combined Fashion And Music Like Never Before
Discover our latest in partnership with Phorin Collective, detailing ASAP Mob's role in strengthening the relationship between Hip Hop and fashion like never before, from the streets of Harlem to the runway shows of Paris Fashion Week.
August 14, 2022 The Rise and Demise of the Outlandish Custom Motorcycles - Reminiscing the Glory Days of the Bosozoku
From the car tuning of Akira Nakai to the custom motorbike buildings of Hideya Togashi, it's safe to say that Japan today has a rich culture in vehicle modification. However, most nowadays aren’t aware of the demographics of the bike customization scene back in the 20th century, a golden era for bike modification, when the Bosozoku ruled the streets with their flashy, over-the-top, style-oriented Kaizosha (custom vehicles).
August 08, 2022 "Roots" - A Conversation with Photographer Remi Bouvier.
One Block Down linked with photographer Remi Bouvier for a special interview, from his background, growing up in Ghana, to pursuing photography in Europe and his new book "Roots," all shot in Ghana in February 2020.
August 06, 2022 The New Monkey: The UK Club You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
If you are someone who is au fait with the rich tapestry of hard dance music, you will know all about Makina. If you don't do speed and aren't too keen on wearing cut-price sportswear in clubs, you probably won't. Emerging in the late nineties, Makina fused European hard dance genres and became the instrumental backing to a generation of MCs like Rockeye who used it to talk about the intimate details of their lives, whilst hyping crowds at 180bpm. It is pioneers like him, along with a new generation of youth in the region that are continuing to push the genre forward and make it their own: undiluted and untouched from the outside.
July 31, 2022 Antagonist Fashion - Style Representation of Yakuza in Films
The Yakuza, much like otaku, punk, and other subcultures, despite being considered despicable by the general public, their lifestyles usually do make up for successful and popular entertainment content due to the stark contrast between their lifestyle and that of a regular citizen. Today, we look at the depiction of the Yakuza in films through the lens of style, and break down how outfits make up for the fascination of these Yakuza characters.
July 26, 2022 One Block Down presents “You’ll Never Feel Cold Again” a Collaboration with RefrigiWear
For its latest collaboration, One Block Down partners with the historic workwear brand RefrigiWear for an exclusive capsule collection. Exploring the brand legacy both in workwear and street culture and highlights the brand's history rooted in American workwear, thanks to its founding in Inwood, New York.
July 26, 2022 One Block Down presents "Dog Days", a Special Project with Vans: Release Date, Price & How To Buy
For its latest project, One Block Down explores the indisputable impact Vans had and continues to have on the world of skateboarding. Entitled “Dog Days”, the project honours Vans’ checkerboard slip-on sneaker – an iconic shoe that is as ubiquitous on the skate scene today as it was in the late ‘70s after its debut.
July 22, 2022 A Hot Summer Day in Brooklyn - Detailing Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" Style Influence and Legacy
Whenever we get to the summer, and the temperatures start to increase, there is a movie that I always want to watch again; even if I have seen it plenty of times, it never gets old; of course, I'm talking about the 1989 Spike Lee joint classic "Do the Right Thing."
July 17, 2022