Hypebeast (company)

Hypebeast is a Hong Kong–listed company that focuses on contemporary culture and lifestyle.[1][2] It was originally founded in 2005 by Kevin Ma as a sneaker blog. Over the years, Hypebeast has expanded into other industries, including fashion, art, music, e-commerce, golf, and more.[3]

Hypebeast's three major divisions are Hypemedia, its online editorial and social media platforms; Hypemaker, an in-house creative production agency;[4] and HBX, a retail platform.[5][6][7] In addition to the Hypebeast media platform, which is in multiple languages, there are also Hypebae and Popbee for women, Hypeart for art and Hypegolf for golf. In 2012, Hypebeast launched its print magazine, Hypebeast magazine.

History

Hypebeast was originally started as a sneaker blog in 2005 by Kevin Ma.[8] In 2012, the lifestyle, digital and streetwear focused site entered the retail sphere as HBX, selling fashion editor favourites. In 2017, it launched its creative agency, Hypemaker.[4] In 2018, the company organized a 2-day cultural festival called Hypefest in New York City.[9] In 2019, Hypebeast was transferred to the Main Board in the HKEX.[1] In 2020, Hypebeans, a café, was opened in the HBX Hong Kong store.[10] In 2022, the HBX New York flagship store was opened in Chinatown, New York.[11] Also in 2022, the Hypegolf Shop opened in Japan.[12][13][14]

Recognition

In 2008, Hypebeast was recognized as one of Time magazine's 50 best websites.[15] In 2017, it was recognized as one of Fast Company most innovative companies.[16] In 2018, it was ranked on Forbes Asia 200 Best Under A Billion list.[17]

See also

References

  1. Tianwei Zhang. Hypebeast Moves Onto Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange Women's Wear Daily, 1 March 2019, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  2. Hypebeast Forbes, 14 August 2019, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  3. David Zax. Fast Talk: How This 'Sneakerhead' Built A Major Online Magazine Fast Company, 27 February 2012, retrieved 5 April 2020^
  4. Kari Hamanaka. True Religion Enlists Hypebeast Ltd.'s Hypemaker Arm to Help Launch Capsule Women's Wear Daily, 13 October 2017, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  5. Cassell Ferere. Hypebeast Opens HBX, Its First Retail Space And Ecosystem Of Streetwear Forbes, 17 June 2022, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  6. Gina Cherelus. Will Hypebeasts Shop at the Hypebeast Store? The New York Times, 14 June 2022, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  7. Kati Chitrakorn. Can streetwear media brands really sell clothes? Vogue Business, 14 June 2022, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  8. Vincenzo La Torre. Hypebeast founder Kevin Ma on golf – his latest passion – how the fun has been sucked out of sneaker collecting, and the secret to the streetwear company's continued growth South China Morning Post, 8 July 2021, retrieved 19 August 2022^
  9. 「ハイプビースト」創業者が明かすメディア誕生秘話とNYの「ハイプフェスト」 WWDJAPAN.com, 17 September 2018, retrieved 16 January 2021^
  10. Tiffany Lung. From Sneakers To Beans: Hypebeast Opens Café In First Physical HBX Store Forbes, 30 September 2020, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  11. Gina Cherelus. Will Hypebeasts Shop at the Hypebeast Store? The New York Times, 14 June 2022^
  12. 「ハイプゴルフ」代官山に直営店 ケヴィン・マーとジュン佐々木社長が語るゴルフカルチャーの変化 WWDJAPAN, 15 July 2022, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  13. Irene Dong. Hypebeast opens its first Hypegolf store in Japan Inside Retail, 18 July 2022, retrieved 17 August 2022^
  14. 日本版「ハイプビースト」が新規事業に見出す勝機 女性向け「ハイプベイ」などで WWDJAPAN.com, 23 April 2021, retrieved 26 April 2021^
  15. 50 Best Websites 2008 Time, 17 June 2008, retrieved 19 August 2022^
  16. Hypebeast: Most Innovative Company Fast Company, 1 January 2000, retrieved 19 August 2022^
  17. Christina Settimi. Forbes Asia's 200 Best Under A Billion 2018 Forbes, 25 July 2018, retrieved 19 August 2022^