Tokyo Streetwear Never Dies: Yuji Okamoto’s Gentle Punk With CYDERBOY
The Urahara fashion era was a monumental speck in time: though long over, its creative revolutions still echo to this day, especially in the ever-changing streetwear scene.
The early noughties of Tokyo was a golden age for style and art, and many who lived through it have kept these influences close to their hearts. In hopes of a future revival of a similar kind, the Urahara movement is kept alive thanks to designers who share kindred ideologies: one of these is Yuji Okamaomoto, founder of the up-and-coming streetwear brand CYDERBOY.
Following the steps of the genius Jonio’s UNDERCOVER, CYDERBOY is a little different from regular contemporary streetwear brands. The message behind the brand is reverent towards the above-mentioned Urahara era with all of its punk influences, but CYDERBOY is rather “gentle” punk, the one without the “horns”.
CYDERBOY with its retro-reminiscing logo was founded in late 2021. It’s essential to keep the flow moving when it comes to trends, and Okamoto is well aware of this: modernizing classics, he doesn’t shy away from bringing in futuristic elements to promote a new wave of fashion. CYDERBOY, akin to its name, is a bubbly concoction of boyish streetwear that meets timelessness.
Yuji Okamoto has always been very keen on fashion. A Bunka Fashion College alumni, he founded CYDERHOUSE in 2010, the predecessor of today’s CYDERBOY. He is known for his handmade revamped jackets, and he actually collaborated with UNDERCOVER’S MAD STORE on a collection of custom hoodies and MA-1 jackets.
Tokyo will always be a hub for new styles and innovations when it comes to the world of clothing, so seeing people like Okamoto keep the spirit of Urahara alive is truly heartwarming, and shows how important it is to nurture these kinds of subcultures.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
