00s Hysteric Glamour ‘Trompe L’Oeil’ Patchwork Indigo Denim Bottoms

Hysteric Glamour was founded by Nobuhiko “Nobu” Kitamura in 1984. Since, the Japanese label has retained a stark relevancy between the luxury and streetwear market, surging to higher heights in recent years. The designer humbly began his career at the youth-oriented fashion brand “Ozone Community” and would become obsessed Western culture as a result. With newfound inspiration, Nobu would disband from his position at Ozone to embark on an solo journey, establishing “Hysteric Glamour” as his namesake label. Amassing a cult-like following in the local Harjuku scene, Kitamura would expand outwards as his empire grew, refining his taste in Americana traditions.

 

Debuting in the late 2000s, these bottoms enlist an age-old illusory technique known as ‘trompe l’oeil’. Originating in Greece, the technique works to trick the mind into thinking a flat object is three dimensional by manipulating precise shadowing and lighting. First demonstrated in a contest between popular Greek artists Zeuxis and Parrhasius, it’s said that their drawings of grapes were so authentic, birds flew down to try and eat them. In this case, Kitamura prints a denim-like graphic atop a thin textile, layering it with a series of branded and slogan pins on either leg. Accented by metallic hardware and a leather jacron label, these bottoms fit a size 30x30 in pristine condition throughout.