SOPH.
SOPH. is a Japanese menswear company founded in 1998 by Hirofumi Kiyonaga, whose main brand has been called SOPHNET. since 2002. It is known for sophisticated everyday wear and its labels F.C. Real Bristol and uniform experiment.
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Hirofumi Kiyonaga |
| Main brand | SOPHNET. (since 2002) |
| Other labels | F.C. Real Bristol, uniform experiment |
| Website | soph.net |
What is SOPH.?
SOPH. is a Tokyo fashion company founded in 1998 by Hirofumi Kiyonaga, who was born in Oita Prefecture in 1967. The original brand was renamed SOPHNET. in 2002 and is known for sophisticated everyday menswear.
Products and positioning
The company runs several labels that sit between refined menswear and streetwear:
- SOPHNET.: the main menswear brand
- F.C. Real Bristol: launched in 1999 around the concept of a fictional football team
- uniform experiment: an experimental menswear project launched in 2008
SOPH. has also worked on high-profile collaborations, including the 1MW by SOPH. line with the Japanese retailer GU.
Distribution
The brand sells through its own stores in Tokyo, including a shop in the MIYASHITA PARK complex in Shibuya, its online store and international retailers such as SSENSE and END.
Why it matters
SOPH. is one of the defining names of Tokyo menswear since the late 1990s, and its 20th anniversary in 2018 underlined its longevity in a market where many streetwear labels are short-lived.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded SOPH.?
SOPH. was founded in 1998 by Hirofumi Kiyonaga, a designer born in Oita Prefecture in 1967.
What is the difference between SOPH. and SOPHNET.?
SOPH. is the company and original brand name; the main menswear brand was renamed SOPHNET. in 2002.