"Cloth To You" — the Masafumi Kamei Solo Exhibition — is currently being held at Beams Japan Shinjuku, 5F B GALLERY, from Friday, October 17 to Sunday, November 9. Known affectionately as “Naichoro Kamei,” Masafumi Kamei hails from Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture. While studying dress design at Kuwasawa Design School, he was an original member of the hip-hop group Scha Dara Parr. After spending time in the UK, he returned to Japan, taking over his family business while earning a degree in Oil Painting from Musashino Art University. Alongside creating artwork for Schadaraparr, Kamei continues to pursue his own creative practice.

Last month, from September 5 to 23, Kamei held his first solo exhibition in 12 years, titled "KOROMO", at URBAN RESEARCH KYOTO. The oil painting owned by Mr. Kajiwara depicts a Loopwheeler 15th Anniversary Zip Hoodie (his personal piece) painted by Kamei. The artwork captures the distinctive surface texture of TSURIAMI loopback fabric with a realism and hand technique that feels uniquely his. It made me think how incredible it would be to display this full-scale painting beside the life-sized photograph of the LW01 sweatshirt taken by photographer Ichigo Sugawara for our 15th anniversary.

If you have time, I encourage you to visit the exhibition at Beams Japan 5F B GALLERY — and please stop by the LOOPWHEELER section on the 2nd floor on your way out. We’d be delighted to welcome you.

By Satoshi Suzuki