Marmot Capital Is a New Brand Built on 50 Years of Gear

The old-meets-cutting-edge approach is one of Kikuno’s primary concerns. “Marmot Capital has the perfect balance. Or I’m at least trying to create that,” she says. It’s also a direct result of Kikuno’s own history, which traces all the way back to her teenage years, where she devoured vintage and contemporary fashion magazines, which set the tone for the creative work to come later in life. Her love of archives and a tactile approach to design research would later serve her well in reimagining Marmot for a contemporary, style-conscious crowd.

Kikuno dipped her toes into the design world first by graphic tees and sweats, eventually studying design in Japan, San Francisco, and London. Following her international studies, Kikuno returned to Japan and launched her first label, PURPLE THINGS, in 2015. The brand was inspired by street, skate, and hip-hop culture, all influences that have carried forward into her most recent creations. The launch and subsequent success of PURPLE THINGS marked a pivotal moment for Kikuno, where she fully embraced her identity as a designer. Looking back, it also gave Kikuno the confidence to step into the director role at Marmot’s new sub-brand.

Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/marmot-capital-kikuno-kiki