The story of skateboarder Shinpei Ueno.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to hear the name Shinpei Ueno even if you have no connection to skateboarding; since moving from Osaka to Tokyo in 2019, his presence in the street scene as well as the fashion industry has only increased. He can be seen on social media riding his skateboard in a rolled cap and corded sunglasses, doing the Killer Bong hand sign while holding his beloved daughter, or tucking into pizza with his friends and family. It's obvious that he is a character, but what exactly makes him different from other skaters? Why has he been asked directly by James Jabbia to design for SUPREME, and even attracted the attention of Hiroshi Fujiwara, Moncler, Gucci, and others? What was he thinking in the first place? What kind of a joke of a haircut is this? I'm sure there are many people out there who are thinking, "What a joke of a haircut!

On the other hand, Sota Nakai is a skater who runs "WHIMSY" and is an old friend of Ueno's. Nakai worked with Ueno at "Supreme" in Osaka. Nakai, who also worked with Ueno at Supreme in Osaka, is one of Ueno's friends who have witnessed all of Ueno's history as his junior. In celebration of the 15th anniversary of Ueno's "TIGHTBOOTH PRODUCTION," Whimsy also developed items such as shoe tans and socks. Nakai was the interviewer for this issue, looking back on Ueno's feelings and history. Through the conversation between Nakai and Shinpei Ueno, we got a glimpse of what Ueno is all about⁈

Interview_Sota Nakai (WHIMSY)
Photo_Masahiro Yoshimoto
Text_Saori Ohara
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

'It would be austere if I wore a bright red coat and bucktailed it here. But when I get to the bar, I want to go wild in a velour cut-and-sew. I'll wear an emerald velour one when I get to the bar. (Ueno)

Nakai:Now that Shinpei is in Tokyo, you have the opportunity to come into contact with some of the world's top people in terms of fashion. How is it? Is it great?

Ueno:It's still great. We are very particular about skating, aren't we? For example, the way the knee enters the skate when landing, or the way one ollie climbs, there are professionals who incorporate such details into their clothes.

Nakai:Shinpei, are you able to incorporate the same commitment to fashion that you had when you were shooting the skating shoot?

Ueno:There are still some things I haven't reached yet, and although we are at different levels, I like the feeling of doing it just as much. If I don't like it, I can't do it, and I enjoy it.

Nakai:How do you get ideas?

Ueno:I think different brands make their clothes in different ways, but I make clothes that I want to skate in. I would look cool wearing a bright red coat and back-tailing it here," he says. But when I get to the bar, I want to take it off and go wild in a comfortable velour cut-and-sew. I make them with a super sense of style. I am also inspired by vintage clothes and Japanese kimonos, and I use color schemes that I find beautiful in art books. In short, I think ideas depend on how much input I usually have.

Nakai:After all, fashion is the battle dress for skaters. By wearing it and skateboarding, skaters look cool. And that composition is exactly what fashion is all about.

Ueno:For me, skateboarding is like a runway in fashion, and I embody fashion with my skateboard. For those of us who believe in skating, that's the coolest. I think that's how people who don't skate can pick up skateboards.

Nakai:Wow, I got goosebumps at the end. Thank you for your time. See you soon!

Ueno:Thank you too!