******ORIGIN OF MIKASI:
Mikasi De Coutier is from a few different languages...a few languages of close friends when the line was conceived....french, spanish, portugese, japanese, and chimoran (ha ha uni..very funny). As you can tell we were twisted and felt we were fly enough to take on the world in and out...so it came together to mean "feelings of fashion".
ONCE AGAIN, THE LOVE IS APPRECIATED.
“Fashion is Learned, Style is Innateâ€
Unsatisfied with what was being deemed the epitome of New York’s Progressive Streetwear, Mikasi was founded in 1999 as a grassroots fashion movement making limited runs of specialty pieces. Derived from the creative fashion forward mind of Stephen Chase, Mikasi looks to fill a void in fashion. At a time when fashion and creativity are at an all time high, Chase has made it his job to think outside the box. As the Director of Fashion Merchandising & Buyer for 35 specialty stores for over a decade, his position stands to present the market with elements he felt were missing. Mikasi exemplifies unconventional style and creativity, taking influence from the New York Club scene and a common fashion sense Chase has found from travels around the world. Composed of premium denim and denim washes, tees, sweaters, hoodies, and jackets, each piece embodies unique styling and an unconventional marrying of different lifestyles.
During the 10 years of Chase being the Fashion Director and Buyer for R.A.S.C.O LLC he was called upon to preview lines for various brands and in 1999 decided to take the knowledge he had to offer and use it to his benefit, thus Mikasi was born. With full support from the Retail Apparel team, Chase took the initiative to build his brand, based on the fundamental values of premium fashion-quality, workmanship, fabric and taste. In 2006, Augie Teodora was signed on as the creative director of Mikasi, bringing a wealth of experience to the table having been a buyer for Michael K in SOHO, New York as well as Epic/Law Chain stores and owning the Fat Relics clothing line.
This years spring and summer collection focuses on Japanimation, unusual color combinations and 70's/80's nostalgia. Entitled “Do The Math†the collections are equations based on six original characters The Thought, Money Stacks/The Cash, Blueberry Haze, The Force, Biatches, and Game Over. Best sellers include 'Thought Man Hoodie†which plays off 70's/80's nostalgia, combining “Pac-Man†with Mikasi characters, 7 Million Dollar Dash a spin off of Steve Austin 6 million dollar man, and Blueberry Haze.
The Fall 07 collection will be based on the fictitious design school “House of Mikasi†where all the world's greatest designers have gone to hone their skills. In an effort to create limited edition pieces and continually deliver quality products, Fall 07 focuses on mixing a variety of fabrics, hand stitching and beading. It is no surprise Mikasi has style, swagger, and the ability to take it to the next level, and therefore aimed at the fashion forward male consumer who has everything in his closet from culturally inspired pieces such as the Levi's X Warhol Collaboration to Gucci. Mikasi is sold in Michael K, Untitled, 10, and LuLu's to name a few. Prices range from $40 to $60 for Tees, $98 to $300 for Denim, Outerwear up to $500, and Limited Edition pieces up to $3000.
Currently launching in stores around the country from New York to Seattle, Miami, Tennessee, Philadelphia and Atlanta, Mikasi is bringing its unparalleled quality and unique style to fashion forward men everywhere. With overseas distribution also on the horizon to stores in Hong Kong, Denmark, London, Japan and sold online at www.karmaloop.com, Mikasi promises to be global hit, allowing its wearers to tell a story of style. Mikasi is featured in The Doneger Groups' First.Street issue #1, as their pick for creative designers in Spring 07 Story Tellers.....Need we say more?
