At The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, abstract artist FUTURA celebrated his 70th birthday with an in-conversation panel to uncover 'Why Tokyo Still Matters?' with artist KAWS and Hiroshi Fujiwara, a multidisciplinary creative director working in music, fashion, and design, moderated by Masafumi Watanabe, the Director of Bedwin and The Heartbreakers. The evening explored the idea of Japan as an inspiration for international culture across art and fashion, bringing together the best and brightest industry tastemakers in the streetwear, music, and design industries. Cultural legends that attended the evening included the streetwear founder and coveted collaborator, Verdy, the elusive graphic designer behind BAPE and Pharrell’s Billionaire Boy’s Club, SK8THING, the founder and designer of streetwear brand Neighborhood, Shinsuke Takizawa, the founder of Los Angeles-based luxury streetwear brand Stampd, Chris Stamp, and American footwear designer, Salehe Bembury.

When discussing why creatives are drawn to Japan, specifically as an inspirational destination for himself, FUTURA shared his insights, “It's the constant energy of the nation, of the city, and I think it's something that we saw when we first arrived that we were quite influenced by, because we noticed, ‘Wow, people are really working very hard here’… and the dedication of my Japanese friends was very inspirational…I feel [Tokyo] matters simply because I can reinvigorate my energy, and it's not the Zen aspect of it. It's chaotic, but it's under control, and it's always super peaceful.”

The evening continued with a private cocktail at The Jade Room + Garden Terrace in celebration of FUTURA’s 70th birthday, with specialty Don Julio 1942 tequila-based cocktails, passed bites, and further conversation on how Japan is defining culture across art, streetwear, and luxury fashion.

Images courtesy of Purple PR