Swimmer Gets Trendy
One of my favorite Japanese designer brands is Swimmer due to their super cute styles and cheap prices that I can afford. They’ve been around for years and believe me when I say that no one seemed to know or care who and what Swimmer was in the English speaking world until recently.
In 2005 when I was in Tokyo I looked for a Swimmer shop and stocked up on Swimmer goods. I took some pics of my stuff and posted them on Flickr.
Part of my Japanese Art & Design Collection at Flickr
Since that time interest in Swimmer seems to have exploded online, mainly with other doll owning folks who tend to be the trendiest people you’re likely to meet. I find it all really strange since as I mentioned above, Swimmer has been around for awhile and no one seemed to care. I first saw their goods in a Japanese fashion magazine in the late ’90s.
The official Swimmer wesbite finally opened last year: SWIMMER Offical Website
The company has also been opening lots of new shops all over Japan. but they haven’t opened a US store… yet anyway. Sadly, like most things when they begin to get trendy and over produced, the quality starts to go down. I’ve been pretty disappointed with all the new stuff that Swimmer has produced for 2007 which is displayed on their wesbite. I really prefer thir cute retro animal designs over thier super girly stuff.
Oh well… only time will tell. Hopefully their 2008 collection will improve.
Dolls
Toys
Illustration
Other Fun
I love Swimmer, yes they are growing in popularity, I think it is mainly due to the headphones, which I do own a pair of!
I’m sorry to say, but I do like their new sway towards the pink girly look, rather than the Old Skool Swimmer.
You are very lucky to have been able to go to a store in Japan!
Comment by Shm — January 5, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
Wow, maybe you shouldn’t blog/post photos on internet for the world to see if you are just going to get disappointed when their popularity grows…
Comment by InTokyo&URNot! — March 17, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
Who said they were “dissapointed” that Swimmer got trendy? I said I was surprised by the trendiness and disappointed that the quality of their goods seemed to be in decline and not as exciting as it used to be. Maybe you should learn to read before posting in people’s blogs?
Obviously trips to Tokyo are becoming like trips to the mall for white wealthy kids who don’t know how to read.
Comment by Peppermint KIss Kiss — April 26, 2009 @ 5:32 pm