A look back at VonZipper Japan and a photo that captures the spirit of those epic times.
This photograph is a real throwback, a captured moment from years ago when I had the incredible opportunity to work for VonZipper in Japan. Funnily enough, those days came to mind this morning when a post about the brand popped up in my social media feed.
Just like that, a whole rush of fun memories came flooding back.
Working for VonZipper was a unique experience. It was a brand, and a team, where being different wasn’t just accepted; it was pretty much the norm. There was this amazing sense of freedom to genuinely be yourself, and that spirit was celebrated in everything we did. That’s precisely why I loved my time there so much. The creative leash was long – in fact, it often felt like there were no bounds at all – and the brand activations and events we put on were consistently next level, always pushing boundaries and expectations.
This particular shot was taken at the inaugural “Hell on Wheels” event in Japan. If you can imagine a wild mix of old bikes, a palpable sense of speed, and an atmosphere where individuality and self-expression ruled supreme – that was “Hell on Wheels.” People were there to race, to have fun, and to do it all in their own unique style.
And this photo, for me, really bottles that essence. It captures the heart of what that event, and VonZipper itself, was all about: the raw sounds, smells and energy of vintage bikes, the thrill of sending it, and above all, that freedom to be completely yourself, front and centre.
They really were rad times. I’m so grateful to have been a part of them.
Camera: Canon 40D
Location: Kawagoe, Japan
When: May 2014
