2016.10.21
Okinawa’s first basketball apparel brand launched
Step by Step, a basketball specialty shop in Naha, has launched a basketball clothing brand “Okinawa Basketball Kingdom” (OBK). The new brand is the first in Okinawa, and currently consists of T-shirts and shorts, which are all made in Okinawa.
The shop uses the word “Kingdom” to express the popularity of basketball. They also use Shisa, hibiscus, and Shurei-mon (a gate at Shuri Castle) as motifs to give the garments an Okinawa-like image. The items are designed to be fashionable enough to wear daily, and not only during sports.
The prices start from ¥3,600 for T-shirts, and ¥5,200 for shorts excluding sales tax. Some professional players from Okinawa wear the new apparel during training. The brand is planning to increase its selection with items like long-sleeve and polo shirts.
Step by Step developed the idea of launching its brand to coincidence with the start of the B. League, the Japanese men’s professional basketball top league. The shop made the draft of the design, found an apparel manufacturer in Okinawa to cooperate with, and launched the products on Sep. 17.
Shota Nakachi, the manager of planning, says they would like to make the brand beloved by many basketball fans in and out of Okinawa. For more information, call Step by Step at 098-868-7348.