Lei Takanashi is a Correspondent at The Business of Fashion (BoF) covering menswear, streetwear, young consumer trends, and the intersection between fashion and culture. He is based in New York City. Prior to BoF, he primarily covered streetwear and hip-hop style as a Staff Writer in Complex magazine for five years. His work has also appeared in The Cut, Highsnobiety, Fader, Mass Appeal, and other culture magazines. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and history from Stony Brook University.
Data from the 2026 tournament reveals how a mix of reactive tactics, organic player influence and high-heat collaborations drove the real commercial value beyond official sponsorships.
Data from the 2026 tournament reveals how a mix of reactive tactics, organic player influence and high-heat collaborations drove the real commercial value beyond official sponsorships.
James Whitner’s multibrand business, which includes stores like A Ma Maniére and Social Status, is manoeuvring through a tough retail environment by serving Black communities that fashion has traditionally overlooked.
James Whitner’s multibrand business, which includes stores like A Ma Maniére and Social Status, is manoeuvring through a tough retail environment by serving Black communities that fashion has traditionally overlooked.
Designer Eli Russell Linnetz’s Venice Beach-based label has split with Dover Street Market’s brand development arm, assuming full control of its operations as it pushes into womenswear.
Designer Eli Russell Linnetz’s Venice Beach-based label has split with Dover Street Market’s brand development arm, assuming full control of its operations as it pushes into womenswear.
Generating demand for Meta’s new line of own-branded smart glasses may prove an uphill battle for the US tech giant. Plus, what social media bans mean for fashion and the generative search advertising boom.
Generating demand for Meta’s new line of own-branded smart glasses may prove an uphill battle for the US tech giant. Plus, what social media bans mean for fashion and the generative search advertising boom.
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The company founded by Japanese streetwear pioneer Nigo is set to purchase the brand of his longtime friend and fellow innovator, Jun Takahashi.
The company founded by Japanese streetwear pioneer Nigo is set to purchase the brand of his longtime friend and fellow innovator, Jun Takahashi.
A blockbuster spot featuring superstars from Kylian Mbappé to Kim Kardashian is just part of the US sportswear giant’s huge bet on a blend of football and culture to connect with consumers on its home turf and beyond as it seeks to use the biggest World Cup in history to reignite brand heat and sales.
A blockbuster spot featuring superstars from Kylian Mbappé to Kim Kardashian is just part of the US sportswear giant’s huge bet on a blend of football and culture to connect with consumers on its home turf and beyond as it seeks to use the biggest World Cup in history to reignite brand heat and sales.
Editors are betting on deeper storytelling, industry access and new personalities as they compete for eyeballs with online creators.
Editors are betting on deeper storytelling, industry access and new personalities as they compete for eyeballs with online creators.
Salomon’s newest brand ambassador arrives at a moment when its lifestyle-focused Sportstyle line is still a powerful growth engine for the Amer Sports-owned brand.
Salomon’s newest brand ambassador arrives at a moment when its lifestyle-focused Sportstyle line is still a powerful growth engine for the Amer Sports-owned brand.
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Google and Amazon are shaking up the way shoppers find and buy products online with new search experiences that centre on the capabilities of LLMs.
Google and Amazon are shaking up the way shoppers find and buy products online with new search experiences that centre on the capabilities of LLMs.
AI has made it easier than ever for creators to circulate their ideas of what a brand’s next release should look like. But while these mockups help build hype, they can leave shoppers confused and disappointed by the real thing.
AI has made it easier than ever for creators to circulate their ideas of what a brand’s next release should look like. But while these mockups help build hype, they can leave shoppers confused and disappointed by the real thing.
Hype is often misunderstood as fleeting or superficial, but it’s ultimately about getting consumers excited and offers brands a powerful means to cut through noise and capture attention. With shoppers tiring of viral marketing stunts, however, brands need a new playbook that can deliver sustained cultural momentum.
Hype is often misunderstood as fleeting or superficial, but it’s ultimately about getting consumers excited and offers brands a powerful means to cut through noise and capture attention. With shoppers tiring of viral marketing stunts, however, brands need a new playbook that can deliver sustained cultural momentum.
As the pipeline to scaling a fashion business grows more precarious, some designers are ditching the pursuit of global prestige in favour of a slower approach to growth they say is more sustainable — and more fulfilling.
As the pipeline to scaling a fashion business grows more precarious, some designers are ditching the pursuit of global prestige in favour of a slower approach to growth they say is more sustainable — and more fulfilling.
A decade after the Brexit referendum, Joor transaction data reveals EU retail spend on UK labels has plunged to under 7 percent, while UK retailers’ allocation to European brands has nearly halved.
The heritage British style magazine was sold to a Singapore-based music entrepreneur who also owns the British music magazine NME.
The New York City-based designer who elevated J.Crew’s profile amongst menswear enthusiasts said he is leaving the creative director role to focus on his own label, Noah.
Matt Taylor, founder of the collegiate-inspired running brand will be succeeded by Jared Carver, Converse’s former CEO and president.
The finalists for the award that supports emerging Black designers are Daveed Baptiste, Keith Herron of Advisry, Nana Kwame Adusei of Kwame Adusei, and Edvin Thompson of Theophilio.
The shapewear label founded by Kim Kardashian announced it has obtained $225 million in financing on Wednesday.
Nigo is vying to raise $18 million through an initial public offering for the 15-year-old Japanese streetwear label.
The judgement, one of the largest of its kind ever, stems from counterfeit goods sold at a flea market in Atlanta, Georgia.