Everything You Need to Know About AMBUSH

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past five years, you’d know of the brand AMBUSH. A streetwear imprint based in Tokyo that has attracted fans from all four corners of the earth, not many clothing brands can say that they’re religiously worn by the likes of ASAP Rocky, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Rita Ora. In fact, even Kanye West is often spotted rocking the label’s latest pieces on a day-to-day basis. If you’re still not entirely sure who or what AMBUSH is, or you just want to find out a little bit more, you’ve come to the right place.

Want to be the first to know the latest sneaker deals and biggest sneaker releases around the UK? Don’t forget to subscribe to the FREE Captain Creps Sneaker Deals mailing list and follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

What is AMBUSH?

Founded in 2008 as an experimental jewellery line, long before the Western world caught on, AMBUSH was a wardrobe staple among K-pop idols, such as 2NE1’s CL and Park Bom and BIGBANG’s G-Dragon and TOP. Originally famous for its bombastic designs and eye-catching colour combinations, the brand has since expanded into ready-to-wear and denim, as well as a host of major collaborations with some of the fashion industry’s biggest names. This meteoric rise is a feat that many labels fail to achieve in 50 years, never mind in just 17 years.

Who Made AMBUSH?

So, who exactly made AMBUSH? Founded by husband-and-wife dream team Verbal and Yoon Ahn – who, in their own ways, already dominated the music and fashion spaces – the power couple met on the campuses of Boston College as students and went on to influence Tokyo street style for the better part of a decade. A match made in heaven, the dynamic duo combined Verbal’s MC background with Yoon’s artistic talent to create a jewellery collection like no other. Immediately catching the attention of the world’s elite, some of the most iconic pieces include onomatopoeic rings inspired by traditional comic books and chunky chain necklaces that pay homage to S&M.

In 2015, a mere seven years after the brand was introduced, AMBUSH set its course for world domination by launching a ready-to-wear collection in Paris. The French capital would later become extremely significant to Ahn, as in 2019, Dior‘s Kim Jones would crown her as the Jewellery Design Director for Dior Homme. Her first creations for the luxury fashion house would eventually make their runway debut at Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2019, and the rest is history.

“Our concept has always been a unisex one,” Ahn explained while describing AMBUSH’s core values. “Starting from the jewellery at the very beginning, I didn’t see the concept of gender as necessary for the designs we created. That open approach to what you make of a piece has always been part of our creative process, and we hope the wearer can freely enjoy it. We introduced [clothing into the mix] as a canvas for the jewellery, but it was only a matter of time before ready-to-wear took a leading role in our cinema – this season, it takes the main stage.”

What Are the Best AMBUSH Collabs?

Over the past decade and a half, AMBUSH has had collaborations with some of the world’s biggest brands. From streetwear’s finest to the most prestigious sports associations of all time, Verbal and Yoon’s fashion company have linked up with them all. Realistically it would take days upon days to list them all, so instead of doing that we’ve hand-selected five of our favourite projects that you should definitely know about.

AMBUSH x BAPE

Real recognises real. All the way back in 2009, when AMBUSH was literally one year old, it tapped Nigo’s BAPE for the “Kaiju Collection”. Paying homage to the Japanese roots of both labels, the extensive capsule featured everything from jewellery to graphic hoodies to sneaker and footwear options. Combining their signature aesthetics into one fully-fledged range, it was cleverly marketed with the tagline “A Bathing Ape Is Ambushed”.

AMBUSH x Levi’s

At the end of 2022, AMBUSH shocked the world by announcing a collaboration with one of the fashion industry’s most storied denim brands, Levi’s. Split into two parts, the AMBUSH x Levi’s capsule boasts a melange of mid-indigo denim pieces complete with the metallic silver accents throughout, harkening back to Verbal and Yoon’s jewellery days. The iconic Levi’s tag was also worked with a black-and-white palette that was AMBUSH through and through.

AMBUSH x Moët & Chandon

In 2021, LVMH-owned Moët & Chandon tapped AMBUSH for a collector’s-item champagne bottle. Released in extremely limited quantities, these came about during a time when nothing in the fashionsphere was predictable. Extremely minimalist in design, Moët’s world-famous streamlined bottle was labelled with co-branded detailing throughout. Additionally, a portion of profits were donated to the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity that protects threatened natural habitats.

AMBUSH x NBA

Of course, we can’t talk about the best AMBUSH collaborations without bringing up the AMBUSH x NBA partnership. For this edit, Yoon sought inspiration from strong female characters from the 1990s and channelled this energy into a vast apparel range that was unmistakably NBA-influenced but with a fresh, feminine touch. To complement this, the South Korean fashion icon also connected with Nike.

AMBUSH x Nike

There’s no debating the fact that AMBUSH x Nike is one of the most iconic Swoosh collaborations in history. A pairing that has been around since 2017, they’ve worked on countless silhouettes over the past eight years, infusing each and every model, from the Air Force 1 Low to the Dunk High, with the Tokyo label’s signature rebellious attitude.

AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High “Black”

There’s no doubting the fact that the AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High “Black” is one of AMBUSH’s most popular sneakers. Giving serious “Panda” vibes, this monochromatic masterpiece takes the classic ’80s basketball shoe to another dimension. Crafted from premium leather throughout, an AMBUSH-branded heel counter wraps around the back, while the world-famous Swoosh shoots way past the heel for a speed-inspired aesthetic. If you’ve been searching for a clean and simple shoe that’s destined to stop traffic, you’re looking at it right here.

AMBUSH x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Game Royal”

One of Yoon and Verbal’s latest collabs with the American sportswear company, the AMBUSH x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Game Royal”, celebrates the AF1’s 40th anniversary. Released at the end of 2022, it has very quickly become one of the most hyped colourways that the hardcourt model has ever seen. Nicknamed “Sonic the Hedgehog” by the South Korean designer herself, it’s painted in a blue and yellow colour scheme and comes complete with a 3D-printed lace dubrae up front. Pretty neat, right?

AMBUSH x Nike Air Adjust Force “Psychic Purple”

In 2020, AMBUSH dove right into Nike’s archives to bring back a ’90s legend in the form of the AMBUSH x Nike Air Adjust Force “Psychic Purple”. Applying the brand’s punk rock aesthetic, the retro shoe dropped the classic all-leather construction in favour of a buttery suede outfit that’s as premium as it gets. AMBUSH also added a custom Velcro-fastened strap that wraps around the entire upper. Not only does this offer extra support while you’re on the court, but it also adds a pop of colour as well across the Swoosh.

AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High “Deep Royal”

And last but not least, we have the AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High “Deep Royal”. A contemporary take on the classic Jordan Brand colour combination, this particular pair pays tribute to motorcycle culture. From the extended ankle that nods to the rugged boots worn by bikers to the extra panelling across the heel. The elongated Swoosh across the laterals and medials also adds a sense of speed that’s sure to turn heads wherever you go.