WINNER
2016BAJOWOO
After entering ESMOD in 2003, Bajowoo decided to take his enthusiasm in punk rock music to a new level and became involved in punk design. He designed stage costumes and artworks for rock bands and organized performances. He traveled around London, Paris, Tokyo, Bangkok, and many other cities to experience the global punk rock culture. In 2008, he moved to Japan and joined the Tokyo Dressmaker School. In 2012, while still attending the School, he launched his independent label 99%IS-. He made an arresting debut with his first collection, centered on his signature original studs and leather that stay true to his roots. 99%IS- stands for the concept that “99 percent of people fail or refuse to take notice of the culture of the remaining one percent, which forms 99 percent of what I experience.” This is the basis on which Bajowoo reinterprets the punk rock culture from different perspectives and translates it into a collection flaunting his originality and métier.
Bajowoo was selected as the winner of the 10th SFDF in 2015 in recognition of his potential to grow into a globally celebrated fashion designer, and he has been rapidly reinforcing his presence in the fashion world since then. He launched his season-less collection Always in the fall of 2015 to satiate the thirst of his fans and soon expanded into womenswear and denimwear, which not only received rave reviews from the press but also reaped commercial success. The original studs, which epitomize the essence of 99%IS-, are the product of long hours of a grueling creative process and many trials and errors. Each stud piece, handmade to perfection, testifies to his affection for fashion and superior craftsmanship. This is why many designers, celebrities, and high-fashion retailers acknowledge 99%IS- as a truly high-end brand. 99%IS- continues its quest for unparalleled creativity through exciting collaboration projects conducted in association with internationally renowned brands such as Mackintosh, Comme des Garçons, George Cox, and Camper.
Bajowoo’s creations are much sought after by fashion-forward celebrities around the globe, including Lady Gaga, Chris Brown, and Big Bang. His designs are currently being sold at globally recognized high-fashion shops such as 10 Corso Como, Dover Street Market, and I.T. His S/S 2016 collection was showcased in combination with unique fashion videos and quickly became a sensation.
