Ambush - by Yoon & Verbal (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The first large-format book on AMBUSH(R), one of the most influential ready-to-wear and jewelry brands to come out of Japan in the last two decades. Offering a deep dive into the brand's teeming archive, this intuitively engineered monograph is a sleek essential for lovers of fashion, as well as streetwear enthusiasts and tech-driven lifestyle culture.

Founded in Tokyo in 2008, AMBUSH(R) first gained notoriety for creating the "POW!(R)" line of rings and chains, a design heavily indebted to American pop-art and manga which took the world of hip-hop by storm. A multi-disciplinary fashion, jewelry and design collective, AMBUSH(R) is the brainchild of Korean-American designer YOON and Korean-Japanese music producer VERBAL.

Championed from the very outset by the likes of Pharrell, NIGO(R) and Colette, YOON's jewelry designs often include bold motifs as seen in collections drawn from everyday objects such as office stationery, safety pins, and disposable lighters. With apparel as a canvas to complete the aesthetic YOON envisioned, AMBUSH(R) evolved into designing unisex ready-to-wear collections. Growing into a full fashion line that often draws inspiration from subcultures and countercultures, AMBUSH(R) grew a devoted following well beyond Tokyo. The brand's uniquely crafted parts form an idiosyncratic style that led to commissions and collaborations with an illustrious list that includes Louis Vuitton (Kim Jones), sacai, UNDERCOVER, Off-White, Moët & Chandon, Bvlgari, Nike, CONVERSE, Rimowa, and GENTLE MONSTER.

Review Quotes

"Putting an edgy fashion brand between covers...the book charts the duo's unconventional hip-hop designs, from the brand's debut as a unisex jewelry line in 2008 to its 2016 addition of clothes and accessories...Comments from their friends and associates, including G-Dragon, the Korean rapper and singer-songwriter, and Chitose Abe, the designer behind Sacai, are scattered through the book." -- The New York Times

"In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of Ambush's transition from jewelry brand to full ready-to-wear and accessories label, the book features contributions from friends and collaborators including Kim Jones, Pharrell Williams, Chitose Abe, Kid Cudi, Hiroshi Fujiwara, G-Dragon, Kaws and Jun Takahashi, among others." -- WWD

"In true AMBUSH fashion, the book is itself a work of art boasting a unique perforated canvas hardcover printed with a large AMBUSH logo. Behind it, images from AMBUSH campaigns and product details are visible through the holes creating a visual collage of the brand's journey." -- HYPEBEAST

"Marking the first large-format book on AMBUSH, the new release will offer a deep dive into the brand, from its humble beginnings as a jewelry label to its fully fledged ready-to-wear collections and era-defining collaborations. Featuring BTS photos of past AMBUSH jewelry and apparel collections, the book also contains contributions from an impressive roster of AMBUSH collaborators and friends of the brand. Including sacai's Chitose Abe along with Kid Cudi, Hiroshi Fujiwara, KAWS, Kim Jones, Kunichi Nomura, Jun Takahashi and Pharrell Williams, the book begins with a forward from Adrian Bianco of sabukaru online." -- hypebae

About the Author

YOON is the co-founder and creative director of AMBUSH(R). YOON was appointed as the Dior Men Jewelry Director in 2018, and as Nike Global Women's Curator in 2023. VERBAL is the co-founder of AMBUSH(R) and a music producer.