In an era where fashion serves as more than mere fabric covering the body—becoming instead a declaration of personality, an expression of attitude, and a vehicle for culture—TAKA Original emerges as a disruptive force. This Chinese streetwear brand, created by a team of post-90s designers, is igniting a global fashion revolution centered around its distinctive "CREATE THE FUN" philosophy.
The Genesis of a Vision
Founded in 2015, TAKA Original was born from young designers' profound understanding of street culture and passion for life. Rejecting mediocrity, they sought to inject joy and surprise into the world through their creations. The brand's core ethos, "CREATE THE FUN," permeates every design, representing more than a slogan—it embodies an optimistic lifestyle, a challenge to conventions, and the courage for self-expression.
The brand gained early traction among China's Generation Z, amplified by celebrity endorsements from prominent figures like Yi Yangqianxi and Wang Junkai. This domestic success became the springboard for global ambitions—a vision inspired when founder Aka imagined TAKA Original wearers being stopped on New York streets by admirers curious about their distinctive outfits.
Strategic Expansion
In 2020, TAKA Original secured a pivotal angel round investment worth tens of millions of RMB from Bull Capital, accelerating its international expansion. This capital injection validated the brand's value and growth potential, enabling aggressive product development, marketing initiatives, and channel diversification.
The brand's leadership combines Aka's strategic vision with Niki's content expertise—a complementary partnership driving global growth. Aka's market acuity guides brand direction while Niki's social media prowess cultivates community engagement, establishing deep brand loyalty.
Conquering Global Markets
TAKA Original's international strategy began organically. Rather than implementing rigid plans, the brand experimented across platforms, discovering Instagram as its primary overseas conduit. Through strategic hashtag usage (#takaoriginal, #createthefun) and interactive campaigns, the brand amassed 3,000 followers within three days—now boasting over 360,000 Instagram followers with nearly 10,000 tagged posts.
This social media approach transcends conventional marketing. TAKA Original actively involves followers in product decisions—even eliminating unpopular designs through user polls—creating participatory experiences that resonate with digital-native consumers.
Design Philosophy
TAKA Original's success stems from its bold aesthetic and acute understanding of Gen Z preferences. The brand synthesizes streetwear's rebellious spirit, futuristic cyberpunk elements, and retro influences into cohesive collections that encourage self-expression. Its "DO NOT DEFINE" collection—featuring logo-free garments—epitomizes this anti-label philosophy.
Seasonal concepts showcase the brand's narrative depth. The recent "spread the joy wizz" collection introduced "Little Flower," a recurring motif symbolizing hope and vitality that has become a brand signature. These thematic elements create emotional connections beyond transactional relationships.
Digital Infrastructure
TAKA Original's e-commerce evolution reflects its brand-building focus. Transitioning from third-party platforms to a custom Shopify solution allowed greater creative control over its digital storefront. The current website merges cyberpunk aesthetics with playful elements, visually manifesting the "CREATE THE FUN" ethos.
Traffic analytics reveal surging interest, particularly from North America and Europe. The United States drives 43.77% of visits, with Germany and Canada following. Notably, 47.84% of traffic comes from direct visits—a testament to growing brand recognition—while organic search accounts for 24.82%, predominantly through brand-related queries.
Cultural Resonance
Unlike traditional apparel marketing, TAKA Original prioritizes cultural dialogue over mere product promotion. Collaborative projects with digital artists—like the SS18 lookbook featuring cyber-inspired works—demonstrate this commitment to creative exchange. The brand positions itself as a platform for global youth culture, transcending geographical boundaries through shared values of individuality and joy.
This cultural strategy differentiates TAKA Original in competitive Western markets. By addressing international consumers' desire for authentic self-expression rather than chasing transient trends, the brand cultivates lasting relevance beyond seasonal collections.