Things gonna change, like now now

If you’ve you’ve already heard of MKI Miyuki-Zoku then you’re rocking pretty strong in the #menswear game. Or you live in Leeds.

MKI opened back in May of 2010. It’s got a well put together web presence and a bricks and mortar store in The Corn Exchange. But in London, it’s pretty unheard of.

That’s gonna change now. Like, now now. End are stocking MKI. Game changer. MKI are a cool secret no longer. For dudes who feed off knowledge other less steezy dudes don’t have, this is unfortunate. For everyone else, anyone who appreciates simple, well made, contemporary pieces, it’s all good baby.

And what about that name? It doesn’t sound very, you know, Leedsy. Well, in Japan, in the summer of 1964 a street culture of guys and girls, in their late teens, started adopting the classic US Ivy League look. They used to hang around Miyuki Street in the aspirational Ginza district. They ended up being labeled the Miyuki-Zoku (zoku means subculture.)

MKI was founded by Vik Tailor and the store rocks around 60% own label and the rest is made up by a good edit of the usual suspects – Comme des Garcons fragrance, Sunpocket shades, Superga, Novesta, Wood Wood, Rains, Drifter…

But its the own brand that has my interest. Really keenly priced, great palette, good finishing, a lot of UK manufacture. To some eyes they might look like basics, but for me they’ve got way enough touches to elevate them to refined, smart-guy, streetwear status.

I chatted with Vic when I was last in Leeds and he explained to me that the brand doesn’t even need to go on sale. Demand has been so strong and the collection so targeted, that the traditional slashing of prices come season end just hasn’t been required. As he spoke, I grinned… happy for him. Sadly, as I was about to broach the subject of a little discount on a varsity jacket, I was actually, chronically miserable.

My top garms from the current collection:

MKI Vent shirt in blue tie dye linen for £65.