Daisuke Kojima, who handles the "KM4K" brand, which has been attracting attention in recent years, while still playing an active role as an active rider.The brand starts with a sticker designed with the illustration logo of "Antelope" drawn by himself, and develops into T-shirts, hoodies, and clothing. When those items spread on SNS, they will expand from the connection of the rider era to the nationwide expansion.We asked Daisuke Kojima to talk about the concept of the alternative garage brand “KM4K”, which grows while gradually making what you and your customers need and want, like the snowboard brand in Genesis.
One thing left on the to-do list was the launch of the brand
A third strange animal that emits something like two radio waves from above its head."KM2K" written on the body is read as "antelope".It is a brand that is still handled by professional rider Daisuke Kojima who has a contract with ROME SDS and DICE.I started the brand when I was 4 years old.After getting married, I decided to switch from a rider-oriented life, where I work part-time in the summer and stay in the winter, to a “normal” life where I return to my hometown of Kyoto and get a job as a full-time employee.
"I was able to do it as a rider. I got a magazine to ride a helicopter. I was able to do quite a bit of what I wanted to do, but the only one left in the" to-do list "was the brand. Was to launch. "
When I was in Hakuba, I skated in the backcountry all year round with rider Takashi Minamiura.Kojima, who skates only in the backcountry, which was not mainstream at the time, was said to have been told by the people around him, "Isn't that person an antelope?"The brand name was antelope, which was called as an image that emerged from his riding style, and the brand was started with the mysterious and attractive logo at the beginning that he drew.
One action led to the path to the next product production
The sticker he made first became popular to some extent, and he wasn't thinking about any bigger development at first.The opportunity was that Kojima's younger brother won a high-ranking prize in a special skill latte art competition.Produced and sold T-shirts by crowdfunding in order to earn the cost of flying to the site of his younger brother who won the ticket to the main race in New York.An order from a snowboard shop came in just as I was thinking of selling the plane fee safely and separating it into the brand's activities.
"I was actually planning to buy a ticket for my brother and finish there. My brother was able to go to New York, and when I thought about returning to the normal world, I got a call from the store and said,'Already. I want you to make it once, I want you to make it a hoodie. "There is also a version, and I made a hoodie and delivered it, saying" It's okay, I'll make it. " I also got in touch with you. "
Kojima's actions are highly sensitive snowboarders, such as being recognized as a professional snowboarder, having connections with various places as a rider, and using Instagram before it became popular to disseminate information as soon as possible. Attracting, orders increased through the shop. The KM4K, which started with the idea that it would be convincing if even one T-shirt was made at first, said, "I wish I could do something at the end," gradually gained popularity and grew steadily.
The hoodie sold well, and when I received a request to make a jacket next time, I planned a simple nylon jacket that does not use seam tape.In the Kansai area where Kyoto is located, I thought that such high-end clothing was not essential and the price could be kept down.However, for some reason, the sample that came up had a full seam tape.
"Oh? I was impatient at all, but it was about three days before Interstyle (Japan's largest snowboard trade show), so I exhibited it as it was and asked the customers for their opinions. It's better to have it. "That's why I made the current paradise jacket (laughs)."
This is the story of the birth of KM4K wear.Kojima talks about the unintentional but unintentional development that seems to be directed in the right direction.
"I'm pretty lucky to fail. I've always been, but I was the type of person who couldn't do it properly, so I'm the type who rolls for the better. (Laughs). That was a lucky point for me. "
A participatory brand that grows while listening to the voices of customers
Starting with stickers, T-shirts, hoodies, nylon jackets, clothing, and now small accessories and hammocks, the KM4K seems to be free-thinking and not bound by existing concepts.What are your thoughts on the brand concept?
"I think it's really important that I'm missing. There are a lot of cool things in the world. BURTON is beautiful, and VOLCOM has a concept and is beautiful. There are products, but there aren't many unfinished brands. I'm very attracted to this unfinished product, and I think that's very important. So KM4K is unfinished and "customers make it." It's an image of a brand that is terrifying. I want to make it a brand that everyone can buy and build more and more. It's a so-called participatory brand. I don't want to do this myself, but rather customers. I think the biggest image is that everyone is watching me go back and forth with the voice of Mr. and the support of the customers (laughs). "
The experience I have built up so far is being utilized in my current activities.
Kojima's activities, which shifted to the new path of establishing a brand at the age of 28, are supported by the connections with people that he has cultivated so far.
"When I was snowboarding, there were a lot of people around me who supported me. When I started a brand, they supported me again."
Another thing that supported Kojima was the English proficiency acquired while studying in Canada.
"Everyone speaks English when working in China or wherever they go. It would be completely different if you could speak English when selling products overseas. After that, you can get information on what is popular in the world quickly. I think that being able to speak English is also a merit of being able to speak English. Even if you look at Instagram overseas, you can get information that "this style is popular" a little earlier. "
In fact, the brim hat named KM4K Cap is an item that can be said to be ahead of its time.Many brands have released this type of cap now, but the KM4K has been made for seven years.
I want each to find a PARADICE for me
When I asked KM4K, which continues to grow steadily, what kind of development it has as a brand in the future, he told me the episode that was the driving force when the brand was established. Ten years ago, Kojima's determination to "do a brand" was accompanied by an air of "I can't do it."On the contrary, the brand continues to grow little by little. "I came to a place I thought everyone couldn't do, so I want to aim higher."
We will continue to grow the brand while maintaining the desire to make it a brand like VOLCOM, which was a bitter smile at the time.
On the other hand, it has changed since then. KM4K has a subtitle "PARADICE IS HERE", which was based on the image of a scenic point of Hakuba 47, but it seems that the meaning has changed since returning to Kyoto.
"I'm not in Hakuba, so I can't go on a good day, and when I wonder where everyone's paradise is, it's everywhere. It's the same when I have a child, and paradise is all over the country. I realized that it was at my feet. It's not just that place. Nowadays, there are many small paradises, so I want everyone to find it.
KM4K riders
Attracted by such an alternative atmosphere, unique riders are wearing KM4K products.First of all, Mitsuru Taira, who also appeared in the December issue of this magazine.Taira, who moves based on the water, made contact through SNS and became a rider.Keizo Nakanishi and Yuta Kobayashi are the riders from their riding companions.Both are family members who know how to slide as a person.And high school rider Kaoru Obata. A freestyler raised by KINGS, he supports while expecting growth.
KM4K RIDER'S VOICE
"I don't know if there are riders or if it's a snow brand.Rumor has it that it's a movement, not a brand.However, there is a mystery that I like.SuchKM4KFurthermore, "SALMON ARMS"When I collaborated with a Canadian glove brand called, and posted the glove on Instagram, suddenly I got a glove from a Canadian ... to the rider.The next season, a person from Kyoto that I had never met (President of KM4K) Called me, "I'm thinking of putting out my clothes, but would you like to wear them?"1A sample that can only be worn1If you lend me a week, jump off the frozen waterfall and send me a moss sequence,KM4KI remember being used on the cover of the catalog and being officially called a rider at that time (laughs).KM4KCharm ofFirst of all, the existence and name that you don't understand the touch and meaning of that picture are the key points.And I really like the creators, items, and actions that are "just right".Whether it's a board or clothing, it works in any situation.It's not a half-finished thing, it's just right in the true sense.I think the coexistence of the spirit of challenge and practicality is exquisite.The insatiable playfulness and the feeling of a main street that you can't miss may match the "Chanpuru culture" that you have at your base. "Hikaru Taira-
"I was originally acquainted with KM4K's (Kojima) Daisuke, who was involved with photographer Toh-chan (Endo Satoshi) in Hakuba, and I was originally from Kyoto, but he is also in Kyoto. When I returned to my hometown about once a year, I went to see him and became friends with the same generation. And a few years ago, when I was looking for a sponsor of clothing, just He invited me as a rider with a feeling like "I started a brand called KM1K". I like his fashionability, and above all, he is a slippery rider, and I can sympathize with the rider's brand together. I thought I'd try it. Daisuke himself is actually doing the product test, and the feedback of our riders is also heard as it is, so the product is good. Besides, KM4K was originally started from the apparel and its sense It's also good. I think it's an alternative garage brand. "Keizo Nakanishi-
"Originally, the president, Kojima (Daisuke), was a companion who skated with Hakuba of the same generation. It was a brand called KM4K that he arrived at while continuing to snowboard. It's good to continue to handle the brand in the industry. The rider is also unique, and I may be a little floating (laughs). But please respect me and support me. I'm really grateful for what I'm doing, so I want to grow together by doing what I can. The clothing is of course in good shape, and especially the bib bread is the best. "Yuta Kobayashi-
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Daisuke Kojima
Started snowboarding at the age of 14.From the day I started snowboarding, I decided to "live with this" and studied abroad in Canada for two years after graduating from high school.After that, he became a mammoth and a big bear, and after returning to Japan, he lived a lifestyle centered on snowboarding in Hakuba and was active as a professional rider. He started his own brand KM2K at the age of 28.
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