We live in an age where we can buy almost anything on the Internet. That's why we can't help but be attracted to things that can only be bought in those places. ...... The "CITY WALK PROJECT" started by "ZOZOVILLA" focuses on hip cities and stores around the world and releases items that can only be found there. Items that could only be obtained by visiting the local area are now available at "ZOZOVILLA" for a special occasion only.
The city that will be the focus of the first edition is California. . Under the title of "CALI WALK," items from eight local stores will be on sale. This time, items from Woon Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant that has gained popularity in Los Angeles, will be introduced.
Photo(ITEM)_Takeshi Kimura
Text_Marugoshi Kimura
Edit_Yosuke Ishii
An eclectic mix of Chinese and street.
When talking about Los Angeles, the culture of "side-riding" is unavoidable.
The coastline leading south from Santa Monica offers quality waves, which attract many people to the city. At the same time, skateboarding culture is deeply rooted in the city, with parks everywhere and many people riding as a means of transportation.
The Woon Kitchen is a Chinese restaurant located in such a town. It is located in Filipinotown, a short distance south of Silver Lake. It opened in 2019.
Woon Kitchen
Address: 2920 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Instagram:@woonkitchen
. a Chinese restaurant, but it is not quite what you might imagine.
The owner, Keegan Fong, was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her nationality is Chinese. She grew up in the sideboarding culture from a young age and worked in the skateboarding and surfing industry for over 15 years after graduating from college. From there, he opened Woon, a family-owned business. . So the atmosphere in the restaurant is an eclectic mix of Chinese and street. No red lanterns, no ostentatious dragons . The staff is also of all nationalities.
Keegan's skateboarding buddies come to the restaurant, as do locals. Popular menu items include thick, chewy beef noodles and five-spice chicken wings . Pancakes with pork belly bao and green onions are also superb.
A product that is more than a souvenir , made with old friends.
With such a background, marketing and fashion apparel are Keegan's forte, and the store sells original "Woon Kitchen" home goods and apparel. The quality is impeccable.
We will introduce such items, which can only be purchased locally, as soon as possible. Many of these items are sold out, so if you are interested, be sure to get in early.
Woon Kitchen Peace Love Noodles Tee ¥11,500
The first is a T-shirt. The faded body of this T-shirt features a print of Keegan's mom making noodles.
The photo was taken by Keegan's friend, L.A. artist Jacob Cummings, who has photographed for such prestigious media as the Los Angeles Times and Bon Appétit, as well as for the catalogs of renowned fashion brands.
. isn't it nice that the name of the T-shirt is "Peace Love Noodles Tee"? In times like these, what we need is peace, love, and noodles.
Woon Kitchen Vase Long Sleeve Tee ¥11,500
The Long T's were designed by Liz Kim, a customer of Woon Kitchen since its inception, who is a well-known tattoo artist in Los Angeles with a large following. Her work is beautiful, coarse, and simple.
The motif of the illustration is a Chinese vase. The white and blue colors are the colors of classic ceramics in China.
Woon Kitchen Woon Work Shirt ¥35,000
The bouncy red checked work shirt has the word "bowl" printed on the back . Although it is not a familiar Chinese character, it means "bowl" in Cantonese. In Japanese, it is "椀.
In restaurants, "bowls" are important tableware because they serve many noodle dishes and soups.
Keegan often wears a red checkered shirt when he stands in his store, and this piece was custom made from it. The large front pocket is convenient for storing pens or slips.
Woon Kitchen Circle Logo Cap ¥7,800
Next is a simple cap with the store's logo embroidered on it, created by Lena Farris, an LA-based art director who is also responsible for the branding of Woon Kitchen.
The design of the letter "W," the initial of the store, as a wavy noodle is relaxing, and even with a stiff styling, just wearing one of these will make the whole look more relaxed.
I don't know if "L.A.-like" is the right word, but it's just loose, fresh, outgoing, and great.
Woon Kitchen Skateboard ¥17,000
Lastly, in the middle of Keegan's identity, is the "Woon" original skateboard. The design is by Ty Williams. He is a long-time friend of Keegan's, although he has also provided art for the GREENROOM FESTIVAL and ACE HOTEL in Japan.
Each skateboard is individually hand printed in Long Beach, California. The width is 8.25 inches.
New York, as well as LA, is a city with a large number of immigrants and a diverse mix of cultures. The combination of all these elements creates ideas that have never existed before, and new things are being created. The "WOON" product is also the result of the encounter between China, Los Angeles, and skateboarding.
. The next one I will introduce is the Flowerboy Project in Venice. The director of the project, who also has roots in Jamaica, is a man with a unique sense of style. Stay tuned for more information.
CITY WALK PROJECT
in ZOZOVILLA
Instagram:@caliwalk_official, ,@zozovilla_official
zozo.jp/event/zozovilla-citywalkproject
