Takahiro Miyashita’s Number (N)ine may be one of the greatest stories of rags to riches. From dropping out of high school to creating his own multi-million dollar label, Number (N)ine from 1997-2009 was a brilliant fusion of Western punk, rock and grunge culture intertwined with traditional Japanese style. Since being introduced to American music by his older brother, as a result of American soldier’s placement in Japan following World War 2, Miyashita utilized his vast knowlege on the subject to heavily impact his design, basing entire collections around legends such as Axl Rose and George Harrisson. Miyashita would eventually step away from Number (N)ine in 2009, where he left to create ‘The Soloist’ which would become his new creative form of expression.