During our short day in LA, my mom and I discovered a japanese line we had never heard about at Maxfields-we pried the sales associates to tell us about it, but no one seemed to know much. They had only a very small selection. We first fell in love with the cropped bell-bottom frayed jeans we both bought-their tags said 'LGB'.
Later we found the most breathtaking leather jacket tucked away in the back of the store: layers of beautifully distressed leather, exagerated sleeves & assymetric cut, tiny little skull buttons....and an arrangment of peacock feathers going down the lapel. Very rock & roll but at the same time completely ethereal. We were told that this jacket was made under a label that was in the same group as LGB-that the group as a whole was called 'Maniac'.
My mom and I totally flipped out over that jacket...it was hard to leave the store without it. But I told myself that I would make it my mission to find out more about 'Maniac' and 'LGB' when we were in Tokyo.
Easier said than done-Maniac's amazing stores are unknown to even some of the most shop-savvy Tokyoites. They don't advertise and they don't allow their clothing to be photographed for magazines. It took some snooping-had to find out what the hell 'LGB' stood for (Le Grand Bleu as it turns out) and I got a little confused by the three store locations when I finally DID manage to find out where/what they were.
So if I have understood correctly, the 'Maniac Corporation' consists of their two lines: Le Grand Bleu (LGB) and If Six Was Nine. The lines are extremely similar, but LGB focuses mainly on denim. If Six Was Nine is all amazing rock n roll pieces-menswear and womenswear.
The three stores that the Maniac corp owns are Bedrock in Omotesando Hills, Le Grand Bleu in Azabudai, and Circus in Daikanyama.
All of the stores are very different. I can't even begin to describe to you how amazing the stores themselves are. I wish I could take pictures but it is strictly foridden in all of their stores.
Bedrock is probably the most impressive: to get to Bedrock, you have to go through a little backdoor in a cafe in Omotesando hills. That cafe would be the Forbidden Fruit cafe, which has great vegetarian curry by the way.
Bedrock is competely out of this world-without a doubt the most memorable shopping experience I have ever had. It's like you've left Tokyo and stepped into the world's coolest post-apocolyptic fall-out shelter. It's worth the trip just to see the store itself. There is an amazing gigantic terrarium in the back of the store too.
This is the Forbidden Fruit Cafe-go down an ominous flight of stairs to enter Bedrock.
This is the sign outside of Le Grand Bleu-the storefront is a great cafe.
Side door
The food there is *really* tasty.
Like I said, the stores themselves transcend verbal description. The only thing I can tell you is that if you're ever in Tokyo, you HAVE to go.
In addition to LGB and If Six Was Nine, their stores carry Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Givenchy, Lanvin, and John Galliano to name a few.
These big-name labels paled in comparison to what Maniac had to offer.
My mom and I decided that while we are in Tokyo, we only want to shop at Maniac's stores-the pieces we've purchased are now our favorite things in our closets.
I'll just shut the fuck up about how much I love this label now!! Let me show you a couple of the things I've come away with.
Wearing a raw silk charcoal caridgan by LGB, wax coated python-embosses tie-dye pants by If Six Was Nine, double layered tank top by LGB, Martin Margiela python clutch, Martin Margiela wooden clogs, and Yohji Yamamoto hat.
Here is what my mom wore yesterday.
The LGB bondage pouch pants-this is a men's pant.
Worn with vintage sequin jacket, Stella Mccartney mesh sandals, Ralph Lauren belt, Topshop tee
These are men's tie-dyed jeans. Mom is wearing them with a vintage jacket, vintage belt, and stella Mccartney mesh sandals.
I got this one-sleeved cream leather jacket for myself.
If Six Was Nine leather jacket worn with LGB bondage pouch pants (mine are womens jeans), LGB double layered tank, and Givenchy cowboy booties.
I have more Maniac things to show you-I think mom and I are going to run over their today to pick up some pieces for her.
Please do visit their website-they have some pictures of some of their collection but they don't do them justice at all, in my humble opinion.
I am so happy that I've come back from Tokyo with something that I truly love and am totally excited about-finding out about LGB and If Six Was Nine made this whole trip very special.
I would love to find out more about this somewhat mysterious label-the language barrier has made it difficult to ask the sales associates questions, but I do know *who* the designer is. He was eating lunch in the cafe the first time we visited. I'll try to find out more info before I leave!
WHOA. that cream jacket is f'n amazing. im so jealous.
Posted by: jane | June 28, 2009 at 07:50 PM
your mom's outfit is incredible! love the sequin blazer! and your one sleeve leather jacket is so original...you pull it off perfectly!
http://fashionhedonism.blogspot.com
Posted by: Christing | June 28, 2009 at 07:50 PM
That leather jacket is AH-MAZING!
Love,love,love Sea of Shoes Jane!!!
Posted by: Christine | June 28, 2009 at 07:50 PM
i love the leather jacket. the whole one sleeve thing is really cool. i aslo really love hte black hat in the first picture. and the pants in the first picture are so so cool. i love your mom's second outfit. i'm not really into the tie dye trend, but she really pulls it off.
Posted by: Miss Red | June 28, 2009 at 07:53 PM
wish my mom would buy me thousand dollar jackets too... oh well. you look fab, accessorized beautifully. sick pants/jacket!
Posted by: x S | June 28, 2009 at 07:54 PM
I love your leather jacket!! Have fun in Tokyo! ;P
Posted by: Geraldine | June 28, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Love your new clothes, so awesome!!!
Posted by: maria | June 28, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Those pieces are amazing! That's even cooler that you had to kinda hunt to find them, makes them more unique and special, which is really saying something considering how cool they are. That jacket is so incredible! Congratulations on the find!
Posted by: Rosemary | June 28, 2009 at 08:04 PM
thanks for doing the leg work behind who LGB was, after i fell in love with your cropped jeans, i researched forever online and could find virtually nothing about them. oh well, i guess i will just have to go to japan.
Posted by: e.g | June 28, 2009 at 08:20 PM
i think you got gypped. it only has one sleeve. you try way too hard.
Posted by: msh | June 28, 2009 at 08:25 PM
OMGOSH!!! Your raw silk cardigan and one-sleeved leather jacket are absolutely UNREAL! I'm in love! I can't get over your mom's vintage sequinned jacket either, so perfect with the Stella's!
Great finds, and thanks for sharing them! :)
xx
Posted by: Brigadeiro | June 28, 2009 at 08:25 PM
GORGEOUS finds!! That creme jacket is off the wall incredible!
xx
Ava
http://www.aandhblog.wordpress.com
Posted by: Ava | June 28, 2009 at 08:29 PM
WOW WOW thanks so much for informing me of this amazing brand. Everything you guys got is O__O amazin. You and your mom look stylish as always. :)
Posted by: Cruz | June 28, 2009 at 08:30 PM
This is the first time I've felt compelled to comment on your blog--but this post really excited me. It's rare to see fashion bloggers actually be inspired and entranced by new labels--I feel like usually most people are just copying what they see in magazines or on other blogs. The pieces that you and your mom bought are absolutely gorgeous and it shows that you really care about fashion as a craft, not just as a trend.
Posted by: Laura | June 28, 2009 at 08:40 PM
This is like the Japanese equivalent to Margiela, only more strange and secretive. I mean, you have to walk through cafes to get to their stores?! It's like a high fashion black market. It's hard to not be interested in something so crazy, but I doubt I would ever have heard about it had you not posted. I'm in love with their exaggerated, long sleeves and all those jeans. So fabulous.
Posted by: william | June 28, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Wow you are amazing!
How long are you staying in Tokyo?
www.sixteenvintage.webs.com/blog.htm
Posted by: Nahal | June 28, 2009 at 08:42 PM
wow i am really digging your eye makeup in these photos! what kind of eyeliner are you using?? is it liquid? it looks great!
Posted by: Katie | June 28, 2009 at 08:43 PM
I very rarely comment here, I've been following your blog for a couple of months. But that one sleeved leather jacket is possibly the most AMAZING thing I have seen this month. Absolute love!
Posted by: Corinne | June 28, 2009 at 08:45 PM
you make me want to visit Japan! what amazing style!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7362419
Posted by: PlanBVintage | June 28, 2009 at 08:46 PM
great clothes! love them all!
Posted by: stylecrusader | June 28, 2009 at 08:53 PM
good detective work!
Posted by: ashlee | June 28, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Everything's just fantastic. It's so odd that they're low key about exposure though.
I want all the tie-dye pants and that awesome jacket!!!!
Posted by: Josh | June 28, 2009 at 08:57 PM
a lot of people in nyc follow these cult japanese brands and they are actually well known about. They have a sister store in LA as well!
Posted by: jenny | June 28, 2009 at 08:58 PM
the jacket is AWESOME!!! and the jeans toooo LOOOOOOVE EM! :)
you look great Jane!
xo
iyam
www.styleandbeyond.blogspot.com
Posted by: iyam | June 28, 2009 at 08:59 PM
great pants ...dying for your mom's sequin blazer ...love your jacket in the last photos
Posted by: ...love Maegan | June 28, 2009 at 09:00 PM
wow - dynamite post!! LOVE those bondage pouch pants! and your cardigan is to die for. i also adore your blazer - looks so beautiful!!!! congratulations haha
Posted by: Michelle Elford | June 28, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Such a fitting name for the company.
The python pants are amazing detailed, but it is the cream leather jacket that's my favourite. Do you mind sharing price range? I'd love to be prepared for when I ever do get to Tokyo. Thanks!
Posted by: Jo | June 28, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Hi Jane! These clothes are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! <3 Ava
Posted by: ava | June 28, 2009 at 09:22 PM
ooooooooh the pants, the pants, the pants. and the cream jacket is just insane...i really can't wait to see how you wear it with some of your other clothes...what an incredible piece! also, side note, your hair is looking really good, whatever they did to it at the hairdressers seems to have really worked.
Posted by: Belle | June 28, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Your outfit with the cream leather jacket is so amazing...
Posted by: Annie Spandex | June 28, 2009 at 09:48 PM
WOW!! Despite being a constant lurker, I've never commented on your blog. I must say that you are AMAZING!!!! If you don't end up being some sort of high fashion magazine editor/stylist/trend analyst etc.. then the moon really is is made of cheese. You NEED to be working for Vogue. Seriously. You and your mom have the most inspiring sense of style. If I had real money, I would dress like the pair of you at all times.
Posted by: Morning glory | June 28, 2009 at 09:55 PM
I love the jacket....great find.
Posted by: simar | June 28, 2009 at 09:56 PM
wow!
i love the different looks,
and outfits!
you and your mom rock!
http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/
Posted by: mr. freddy's mom | June 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
These outfits are amazing. Seriously, probably my favorite post of yours Jane. I reblogged one of your pictures and linked it back to your website...hope you don't mind :] Just had to share! It's on
cutiekun.tumblr.com
Posted by: CUTIE-KUN | June 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Those outfits are fantastic!
Thanks for posting about this incredibly mysterious line.
Posted by: Christine | June 28, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Great clothes! Thank you for sharing Tokyo and your finds. It's always amazing to come to your site.
Posted by: Kat | June 28, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Love your clutch and your moms vintage top!
Posted by: jamieofalltrades | June 28, 2009 at 10:31 PM
for being a vegetarian, i dont understand why you are holding a python skin bag??
Posted by: idontcare | June 28, 2009 at 10:54 PM
OMG!!!! The creame leather jacket is sicckkkkkk!!!!! All the pieces really but that one specially.
It must be amazing to discover such a brand. It's a pitty they don't allow photos... but come to think about it, thats probably what makes it so special...
http://bsasjournal.blogspot.com
Posted by: Romi | June 28, 2009 at 10:55 PM
You nailed it with both of those outfits, and your mom's style is really awesome.
http://fashionpile.blogspot.com
Posted by: Nicha | June 28, 2009 at 11:32 PM
best post. i love all the pieces. your mom is extremely cool.
Posted by: Christie | June 28, 2009 at 11:33 PM
oh wow. at first i was thinking that raw silk cardigan was amazing and then i scrolled down and saw the jacket!! absolutely phenomenal. good detective work!!!!
Posted by: Prêt-à-Porter P | June 28, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Love the hat and clutch. Your mom's outfit rocks.
Doesn't your other arm feel cold with your jacket? :D
Posted by: a frock a day | June 29, 2009 at 12:02 AM
for those criticising Jane, just look around, is it possible to find shoes or bags not made of leather???..and how do we know if Jane has recently converted to vegetarianism?
anyway, excellent post.
xx Aussie Chick
Posted by: Ann | June 29, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Hmm. I know you are very fashion forward and wear your clothes with a punch, but I think these are a bit over the top and kitschy. Even when following trends and picking up fads I believe it is always important to incorporate a bit of the ol' classics- the cult fashion icons never got too caught up in their eras and though they are clearly from another age they are timeless and still coveted for that reason. I am actually also surprised that few other people so far have any criticism or input except for pure praise, and I believe that might have to do with the fact that your blog is widely read and respected, so people are demonstrating the lemming tendency they tend to have. I do love most of your posts though, so that's why this one disappointed.
Posted by: Rominalee | June 29, 2009 at 12:13 AM
with the exception of the last look (which is FAB), i think you're trying a bit too hard
it sometimes looks a bit too contrived.
sorry, i like your looks, but sometimes it's like FOUL.
sorry :(
yr mom's outfit is boss!
(i know yr reading, mom. ilu.)
but, really, that last look is FABULOUS!
Posted by: alex | June 29, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Oh wow, what an amazing brand!
Thanks for sharing Jane! :)
Looking forward to seeing more Manic items!!!
Posted by: Jing | June 29, 2009 at 12:19 AM
I'm so obsessed with your tye dyed python pants. Love!
Posted by: kristen | June 29, 2009 at 12:19 AM
i am absolutely in love with that jacket! it's just perfect!
http://www.sisterlystyle.com
Posted by: kim | June 29, 2009 at 12:19 AM
OMFG!! (And can I come along on your next trip to carry your trunks?;)
Posted by: coronaboomboom | June 29, 2009 at 12:21 AM