The name Jay Chou may not be a familiar one. But if the megastar from Taiwan plays his cards right, his introductory role to Hollywood as Green Hornet‘s sidekick, Kato, will propel him to stardom in the West.  Just how it helped Bruce Lee 4 decades ago as he took on the role in the Green Hornet television series.  In the numerous movie tie-ins to come, Chou’s boutique in Taipei City, PHANTACi, partnered with New Balance in the creation of a New Balance MT580 in Green Hornet theme.

Predominately in Green Hornet’s color scheme of black, white, and green, with a construct in perforated leather and the addition hornet’s nest motifs around the eyelets. Accents in patent leather, a set of Green Hornet mask lace dubrae, plus special hangtag with both collaborator’s logos, further elaborate the design.  Unfortunately, as a promotional edition for Friends & Family, only 12 pairs were made.

Read the rest of: PHANTACi x New Balance MT580 – Green Hornet | Detailed Look

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Post tags: Green Hornet, Jay Chou, New Balance, PHANTACi

As a winter rainstorm passed over the skyline of Taipei City, a royal blue Lamborghini Gallardo pulled up to the BAPE flagship store at Ren-Ai Avenue and out stepped NIGO himself for the launch of the BAPE x AEON Scooter. Billed as the BAPEON Scooter, the collaborative vehicle is based on AEON CO-in series and powered by a 120cc single cylinder engine. Application in an all over scheme with A Bathing Ape’s BAPE 1st Camo pattern in green or pink, only 500 of the scooters will be produced. Flanked by models, NIGO also unveiled a line of riding accessories, featuring jackets, gloves, and riding sleeves. Priced at NT$80,000, or $2,750, the BAPEON Scooter is available exclusively at BAPE Store Taipei.

BAPE Store Taipei
NO.99 Sec.4 Ren-Ai Road | Map
Da-an District, Taipei City Taiwan

Read the rest of: BAPE x AEON – BAPEON Scooter Launch | Event Recap

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Post tags: AEON, Bape

Though he’s been on the DL for most of the 2009 season, New York Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was still all smile at a recent press conference in Taipei City, Taiwan.  With his injury and subsequent surgery aside, 2009 was a very good year for Wang - the birth of his son Justin early in the year and Yankees’ record breaking 28th World Series Title.  Wang received another “good” news just as the year comes to a close, his own Signature Edition of the Air Trainer from Nike celebrating his achievements on and off the field.  In New York Yankees white, grey and blue pinstripes, the heel panel feature an imprint of “Wang” in Chinese character, written in the form of Chinese calligraphy. (An interesting note that his last name could also be translated as “King” in Chinese.)  Along with the preview of the special edition, the pitcher also thanked his fans’ continue support and vow to be back on the mound in 2010.

Read the rest of: Nike x Chien-Ming Wang (???) - Air Trainer 1 Signature Edition

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After the extensive expansion in Europe and North America the last 2 years, Japan’s A Bathing Ape (BAPE) is focusing its retail effort this holiday season much closer to home, with another new location in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City. Situated in the Da-an District, a junction point between corporate headquarters and luxury condominiums, the new location consists of 2 parts, a Pirate Store and the other might be HOODS TAIPEI.. Both will open its doors this weekend and as with all BAPE grand openings, limited edition merchandises will be offer during the opening the day. More detailed information to come…

Read the rest of: BAPE - Pirate Store Taipei City

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Post catergories: Accessories, Apparel, Collaboration, Denim, Footwear, Gears, Shopping, Sneakers

Interview with Ric Chiang (???) & Jay Chou (???) of PHANTACi

Interview by: AJH
Translated by: Poe
Produced by: Dan Hwang (DAN H.)

Situated in the trend setting neighborhood of Taipei City’s Eastern District (??), where shoppers would find landmarks such as Taipei 101 skyscraper and stores like Undercover Taipei, is PHANTACi. More than just a simple urban fashion retailer, PHANTACi has the unique distinguishment as the only store with Nike’s “Tier 0″ account on this island nation.

A partnership between famed musician/actor Jay Chou (???) and his long time friend Ric Chiang (???). PHANTACi is the materialization of the 2 owners’ life-long interest with urban culture, from its cloistered stance from mainstream culture to its limitless potentials for individual expression. These 2 ideals played important roles in the store’s unique name, an amalgamation of the words “phantom” and “fantasy”.

Since its founding in 2006, PHANTACi has not only become the event space of many Nike product premiere events. It is now hub where Taiwan-based and international artists showcased their collaborations, such as the “I Can’t Brake” exhibition to promote fixed gear culture. To understand PHANTACi’s plans for both near and long term, plus its insights on the Taiwan marketplace, Freshness sat with both founders for a brief chat.

PHANTACi
1F., No.63, Lane 223, Sec. 4, Jhongsiao E. Rd., | Map
Da-an District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan
TEL: +886 2 8773 1426

> PHANTACi

Could you share with us how PHANTACi, the store and its name came about?

Ric: In its earliest form, PHANTACi was just a small store Jay and I started. We wanted to it to focus on things that we like, trends we thought that were interesting. Including, of course, lots of sneakers. However recently, we begin to test PHANTACi as a brand on the global arena, especially after our collaborations with Nike and others. As for the name PHANTACi, it was Jay’s idea. By combining the ideals he like about urban culture, along with his multi-facet roots in the music and movie world. He thought we should combined the words “fantasy” and “phantom” together. It is a bit mysterious and a bit playful take on the definitions of the 2 words.

*Note:* “Fantasy” was the title of Jay Chou’s second album.

Feature and Interview continue after the jump…

Read the rest of Freshness Feature: PHANTACi

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Post catergories: Accessories, Apparels, Features & Interviews, Shopping, Sneakers, Toys