How Bedwin Is Keeping 90s Tokyo Streetwear Alive
In the mid-1990s, a pocket of backstreets in Harajuku sparked one of the world’s most highly referenced and sought-after fashion movements: Urahara, short for Ura Harajuku or “Hidden Harajuku.” Small, unassuming shops like the now-legendary A Store Robot and Vintage King were mashing up and borrowing from a motley of imported styles, including British punk, […] The post How Bedwin Is Keeping 90s…
In the heart of Harajuku's hidden alleyways during the 1990s, a fashion revolution was brewing. A few unassuming shops, like A Store Robot and Vintage King, began blending imported styles from British punk, American hip-hop, surf culture, and workwear. This creative fusion would later influence some of today's most renowned streetwear brands. At the epicenter of this fashion movement was Masafumi Watanabe, known as "Bebetan," the founder of Tokyo-based menswear label Bedwin.
Born in 1971, Watanabe began his journey as a teenage fashion model in Tokyo and later became a founding member of Tenderloin, a cult 90s streetwear label originating in London. In 2004, he launched Bedwin, also known as Bedwin & The Heartbreakers. Collaborating with industry giants such as Adidas, Clarks, and Vans, Bedwin has maintained a loyal following in Tokyo and can be found at Watanabe's exclusive Dayz shop in Shibuya's Miyashita Park.
Bedwin's latest Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, titled "Tokyo Voyage," pays homage to the effortless cool of 90s airport fashion, drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, and Keanu Reeves. The collection features signature cropped trousers, reconstructed outerwear, classic button-down shirts, washed hoodies, and relaxed wool overcoats.
In a recent interview with Tokyo Weeklies, Watanabe shared his thoughts on life, nostalgia, personal style, and the ever-evolving world of fashion.
Written by urgent.news from Tokyo Weekender's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
