OMG, Pharell Williams, just saying...
The new campaign by Palladium, entitled Tokyo Rising, documents Pharrell Williams as he explores the city’s hidden treasures, interviews locals and uncovers an inspiring resiliency in Tokyo in the aftermath of the events of 3/11. The campaign is comprised of a documentary film short led by Williams, as well as a selection of images that capture his exploration into the depths of a rising Tokyo subculture.
Originally the maker of tires for military aircrafts, Palladium has been making boots for urban exploration since 1947. Embarking on the latest trek with its Fall/Winter 2011 collection, the brand was inspired by Tokyo’s majestic presence and cultural impact around the globe. Featured locations were chosen because of their relatively bottled magnificence and limited access, which the exploration uncovers. Descending into Tokyo’s “underground palace” that rests several stories beneath the surface, Tokyo Rising highlights a concrete example of the city’s ability to triumph through innovation and persistence. That same resilience is apparent in the campaign’s featured DIY spaces and art galleries, run by young locals who are willing to go the distance for Tokyo in the face of adversity. Through intimate interviews with artists including Ambush Design co-founder and musician Verbal of the Teriyaki Boyz and electropop band the Trippple Nippples, the campaign provides insight on the spirit of Tokyo’s creative class, showing their renewed commitment to the city and their vision for its vibrant future.
“I find great inspiration in Tokyo from the people,” said Pharrell Williams. “To me, the way that the Japanese people regard life and culture is completely unmatched. Tokyo is my second home and I jumped at the chance to come back and reconnect with friends during the exploration.”
