Whether it's fashion, music, or sports, there is a style that only each person can have in any genre. "Style is Everything." That's right, someone said that style is everything. "Style Resume" is a series of interviews with adults who literally have style. Updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the 11th installment featured guest Hiroshi Okamoto, known as the founder of Toys McCoy. Please join us for all 13 installments in July.
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12. Founded "Toys McCoy" in 1996.
It all started with my own personal thoughts and desires, and I founded the company as a result. At the time, I was still doing a lot of work as an illustrator. However, as my work in the fashion industry became busier, I decided to limit my illustrations to in-house work after drawing Michael Jordan for a Hanes advertisement in 1996. Around the same time, I also turned down an offer to do an album cover for Southern All Stars.
Around the same time, I split from "The Real McCoy's" and founded "Toys McCoy." I wanted to make a McQueen figure that I had always wanted. The McQueen figure was based on "GI Joe," and I asked sculptor Hama Hayao of "Billiken Shokai" to create a very realistic face. I also made a figure of Harrison Ford from "Indiana Jones" afterwards, paying as much attention as possible to the costume and details, so it was a big hit with fans.
The next thing I worked on was helmets. I wanted something with a nice shape for motorcycles, so I first approached the American company BELL. My brother had used their helmets while racing cars in the 1960s, and I thought they were cool. So I asked for a sample, and they sent me one that looked like a pumpkin (laughs). I thought that this wasn't going to work, so I ordered one from buco based on BELL's "500-TX." This also sold like hotcakes.
Profile
Hiroshi Okamoto (Chairman of Toys McCoy)
Born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture in 1953, he started his career as an illustrator and founded the military and motorcycle-based apparel brand TOYS McCOY in 1996. He is known as a true Steve McQueen fan and motorcycle rider, and has participated in races on vintage Harley Davidson and Triumph bikes. He currently spends his days working on manufacturing as the chairman of TOYS McCOY.
Homepage http://www.toys-mccoy.com
