Balmung!

In my ongoing mission to suck the juiciest bits out of everything unique and inspiring that comes out of Japan, I discovered Balmung, a young label based in Tokyo. I actually had heard the name being tossed around years ago upon finding out about the Tokyo boutique Candy, where Balmung's designer Hachi used to act as buyer and director before starting his label (which is now sold there). That's him above outside the Banal Chic Bizzare show- if he looks familiar, it's cause he gets snapped quite a bit for streetstyle sites. His past few collections have revealed his penchant for oversized jersey and sheer paneled tops. The gray cocoon shapes that he created for this past fall season look like they might help you fly if you flapped your arms fast enough.















If you google Balmung now, you'll learn he just recently created custom pieces for Gagakoh, a collaborative performance with Lady Gaga and Terrance Koh that took place last week in Tokyo. Doing anything for Lady Gaga is a guaranteed business booster so hopefully we'll be seeing and hearing more about Balmung and maybe some US stockists will pick him up (PLEASE!).