The early 1990's had something of a petri dish quality for Japanese street fashion; the economic bubble of the late 80's had fully deflated, and youth culture embraced fashion as an outlet. It was a golden era of Uru-Harajuku style creativity, and many of the robust subcultures that emerged during that period continue to define and shape street fashion in 2011. Americana has obviously contributed a great deal to Japanese casual fashion, dating back to the years immediately following WWII. Several key elements from American post-WWII culture were instrumental in shaping the development of Japanese street fashion, and prominent among them were militaria, the outdoors lifestyle, and of course, motorcycle subcultures.
Neighborhood is singular in Japanese street fashion, for offering the most classic and unadulterated interpretations of these postwar aesthetics. Founded in 1994 by Shinsuke Takizawa, Neighborhood quickly earned a spot as one of the preeminent members of the new “establishment” in Uru-hara underground fashion - and like a very small handful of the labels started in that era, remains a niche-industry cornerstone.
Takizawa continues to draw strongly from the influences that defined the Neighborhood palette in the early 1990's – Biker Gangs, Native American aesthetics, and the classic British punk era. These are very powerful inspirations to work with – ones which less nuanced designers often overdo into cliches. Takizawa, however, exercises a creative restraint, and the label has evolved and matured admirably. Today, Neighborhood still offers pieces strongly evoking hardcore motorcycle gear and clothing, but balances them out with a full range of apparel and accessories, including the Luker sub-label, which has given Neighborhood a platform for a range of collaborative projects.