About us

Established in 2019.

Heisei-Ko is a fashion label born of the heart and mind of Ambrose Grimes. The fashion’s entire persona is enveloped by Ambrose’s African/American culture. The brand is also defined by the creator's deep cultural love and appreciation of Japanese culture, including its language, history, fashion, and other intricacies of Japanese life.

This comes on the heels of Ambrose’s 2018 internship with avant-garde/Japanese influenced fashion house Ito, created by, Jerry Jacob.

 

The art

Ambrose designs and draws the art. But the brand truly comes to life via the direct help of, 佐々木 建洋(Kenyou Sasaki). Kenyou-san himself is Japanese-American with a strong artistic edge that cannot be directly pinned down. Ambrose’s art does not breathe without Kenyou-san’s direct involvement and improvements. 

 

Special mention

The designer would also not have the sewing techniques they have today without the help of former Ito seamstress, Sarah Chaff.

A special thanks to 平野幸恵(Yukie Hirano) for Japanese translation assistance for poetry and cultural nuance.  Without her, the designer's writings do not flow smoothly as a calm stream or convey the feeling that they desire.

 

What does Heisei-Ko mean?

 Heisei-Ko /平成子 (lit. Harmonious Child/Children).

平成/Heisei (lit. Peaceful Era) and 子/Ko (lit. Child/Children)

Heisei/平成 (lit. Peaceful Era, January 8, 1989) representing the era of Emperor Akihito’s reign that started the day after Emperor Hirohito’s death. The kanji (Chinese/Japanese characters) that signify this era stand for, Peace Everywhere and the flower associated with the era is the 桜/Sakura (lit. Cherry Blossom) as a representation of harmony and beauty.

The designer chose the name as he was born two years after the start of the era and as show of love and respect for the message behind the era along with his love of Japan’s influence on his life.

 

Message

Heisei-Ko’s goal in the fashion world is literally to unveil the love of Japanese & Black art, the messages in the art, and how clothing as art can convey reverence for history and culture.

 

Mission statement

Heisei-Ko seeks to purely represent a reverence for Black & Japanese culture through fashion as art. Ultimately we want you wear what you feel, not what is presented/marketed to you. “Be at peace inside and outside the cloth you’re garbed in.”- Ambrose

©2022 by Ambrose Grimes. All rights reserved.®