Needles began with an obsession. Long before launching the label in 1997, founder Keizo Shimizu spent years travelling between Japan and the United States, hunting down vintage clothing, deadstock treasures and the kinds of pieces that never seemed to make it into magazines. What fascinated him wasn't just American style itself, but the freedom that came with it.
Western wear, military surplus, Ivy League staples, countercultural references and Japanese craftsmanship all collide in a universe that feels entirely its own. The butterfly logo has become an icon in its own right, appearing everywhere from the brand's cult-favourite tracksuits to its increasingly eclectic seasonal collections. Familiar references are constantly twisted into new shapes — nostalgia is far more interesting when filtered through Keizo Shimizu's imagination, we’d argue.
