Lifestyle Brand VERY MASA: An Interview With Its Founder
December 15 2008, 8:16am
Bangkokrecorder recently had the chance to interview Masa, the main man behind lifestyle brand "Very Masa". Based in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay, Masa creates street culture inspired, high quality lifestyle products.
Bangkokrecorder: Where are you originally from and what made you choose Hong Kong as your home base?
Masa: Well I am born and raised in Yokohama, Japan and later I moved to Perth, Australia with my family. So I have had a good mix of eastern and western lifestyles. Just last year, I had moved to Hong Kong to pursue and further Very Masa amongst other projects.
I had visited Hong Kong many times for business and holidays, however few years ago, I was introduced to the massive fabric districts of Hong Kong called Sham Shui Po by friends of mine here and I was totally blown away by the sheer amount of raw fabrics and metal/plastic materials on offer. Basically this is a place where many of the world's designers come to source the raw fabrics and materials. Just this district alone convinced me that I had to be here at the heart of the action and next to China, where factories can make just about anything available in today's market.
I saved some cash and popped on the plane and here I am. Also as mentioned above, Hong Kong is a city where many designers visit many times and it is a fantastic place to network and meet like minded people.
BR: Who does "Very Masa" consist of or are you a one-man-show?
MA: Currently Very Masa is run by just myself. However, Very Masa is a lifestyle represented by many of the participants of the street cultures and even though I am alone in running this business, I can feel that our fan base can relate to our cultures. The fans and supporters are primarily an extension of the Very Masa family and without the fans and supporters, we would not exist.
BR: Tell us about your path toward fashion design?
MA: Well honestly I do not consider myself as a fashion designer at all. I did not study fashion formally but graduated as a graphic designer. I have no real interest in what the mass media calls fashion and my interests are the streets and people who live in the street cultures. My influences come from cultures such as Hip Hop, skateboarding, snowboarding, graffiti, street art, modified cars and motorcycles and most recently fixed gear bicycles.
As any young designer pondering life, I had a dream of creating something that I loved, which could be shared with people around the world. The choice to make apparel and accessories were basically because I had great respect for designers in the street culture and aspired to be like them. If I can leave a mark, even a tiny one, in the culture that will be really dope.
BR: How did Very Masa come to life?
MA: Very Masa started as a concept or outlet for me to express myself few years ago and I started to do simple stickers and stencils on the streets. It was more for fun than serious business venture, however after some consideration and visiting Hong Kong, I had decided to push it seriously from last year when I moved to Hong Kong. It is still in it's infancy and I have a lot planned for Very Masa.
The name Very Masa is fairly self explanatory for people who know me. This brand is 'very me', meaning the products are very much what I would wear normally and that is how the name came about. It is not a serious name at all but it stuck and now it has a good ring to it.
BR: Can you describe Very Masa's design philosophy for us in a few short sentences?
MA: The design philosophy for Very Masa is very simple. Very Masa is a reflection of myself and my lifestyle. The designs are made for people who can appreciate good aesthetics, good quality and good functionality.
BR: What influences you in your designs? Where do you get your inspirations from?
MA: As mentioned previously, my inspirations and influences come primarily from the street cultures and the participants of the cultures. However I am always open minded and like to explore new ideas and discoveries, and in essence my whole life experiences have contributed to my design outcomes. It can be from a simple conversation with friends or watching a movie. Listening to music on radio or checking art exhibitions. I think if I see, hear, taste, feel and smell something during my life, it probably has some influence on my designs.
BR: Have you ever been to Bangkok before?
MA: Yes, I have been to Bangkok once, earlier this year. It was my first time and I had a super great time there. I love Bangkok! Would love to go back soon once the situation stablises with the demonstrators and so forth.
BR: What inspires you about Thailand's capital?
MA: I believe that my stay was too short to have a full understanding of the city and its cultures, however what inspired me the most in Bangkok was the food! Well the food was impressive to be exact. Thai people in general are creative people. I could feel that creativity in the city itself because creativity is in people's hearts and not something you can buy with money. I felt that the city was alive and had a lot of creative energy.
Even by looking at graphic design, product design, interior design or architecture. Bangkok is filled with great design and I look forward to seeing more things come out of Bangkok and Thailand.
Another thing that always inspires me in Asian countries are the temples and historic spots. I am not religious but I always love to visit the local temples and statues as for some reason it brings me to peace. The reclining Buddha was very incredible! The inscriptions on the bottom of the foot was amazing.
BR: Can we buy Very Masa products in Bangkok and where?
MA: Currently Very Masa is available only at Zig Zag in Bangkok (http://www.zig-zag-shop.com/). I am sure some of the readers are familiar with this store as it has great variety of products and situated in a nice location. As Bangkok is a small city, this will be the only place Very Masa will be available. So if you are interested, please go and check it out.
BR: Many people in Thailand are visiting Hong Kong quite frequently. Where are you situated in HK?
MA: It is funny you mention that because many Hong Kong people and even Australian people love to visit Thailand for a holiday. Anyways I am situated in the heart of the action in Causeway Bay on the Hong Kong island. This is where all the dope shops, bars, restaurants are situated.
BR: Your top three must haves for a comfortable day?
MA: Comfortable pair of kicks, good food and T shirt/shorts weather.
BR: Your favorite designer?
MA: I do not really have a favourite designer as it is too hard to just choose one, however Antonio Gaudi is a huge huge influence on me. He was an artist, architect, designer and a visuanary.
BR: Your favorite website?
MA: Oh wow, another tough one! Right now my favourite website would be Gmail... Since it connects me to the world all day everyday. I know... That was a lame answer. Sorry!
BR: The last music album you really enjoyed?
MA: All of a sudden this interview is getting real tough... hahahaha Well the last album I really enjoyed would be Ready to Die by Notorious B.I.G. There will be no greater album by a greater Hip Hop artist.
BR: Your top holiday destination?
MA: Actually my top holiday destination is Japan. It is my motherland and I like to go there for a holiday. Well I love to travel in general and would like to explore Europe, especially Barcelona in Spain. I would love to check the old historic buildings and ruins in South America, Egypt, China and Russia too.
As for the places I have been that I love, Seoul, LA, Melbourne and of course Bangkok are all dope.
BR: What can we expect next and in the future coming from Very Masa?
MA: Very Masa will grow slowly and I plan to build the brand the old school way. So you may not hear much about it but I will be making moves all the time. Obviously more products will come out in the form of caps, hats, T shirts and would like to expand into accessories like bags or jewelry.
There should be more fun projects like stickers, stencils and posters to decorate the streets too. Also there is a plan to improve our online presence with upgraded website and online store soon.
What I do not want is Very Masa to be considered some form of hype or trend. I want to build a credible brand with a fan base of core supporters. Very Masa represents a lifestyle for those who understands and appreciates the street cultures that means the most to us.
BR: Anything else you want to tell our readers?
MA: Firstly thanks to Denis and Bangkok Recorder for this opportunity and interview. Greatly appreciate this. Thank you.
Secondly I would like to thank my supporters including my family, friends, fans, retailers and customers. Without them Very Masa will not exist or survive. Shouts and props especially to Bangkok friends, you know who you are, thanks for your hospitality and support always!
Lastly, if you have a dream then it makes sense to follow it because you only live once and there is no one in the world who can tell you what lifestyle you should or should not lead. Believe in yourself and follow your heart. Live to the fullest.
BR: Thank you Masa for taking the time and hope to hear and see more of you in the future.
Currently you can find more information on Very Masa's Blog http://www.verymasa.blogspot.com and the main website at http://www.verymasa.com
As pictures can say more than 1000 words, it's also worth checking out Very Masa's flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/people/verymasa
The caps shown above are from the past collection that has sold out. Masa has told us though that next month (January 2009) will see the next collection being finished so if we got you interested, keep checking with Zig Zag shop on Siam Square to find out when they arrive.
