In 2002 Korean Hip Hop MC Verbal and his college sweetheart (and now wife) Yoon created a Tokyo based design collective inspired by the phrase “Anything Goes”. In 2004 they launched their first line, a jewellery collection named Anthony Murphy and Astro.
Influenced heavily by the Hip Hop scene the collection featured large medallions, gold crucifixes and signature ‘bling’. Fellow artists Kanye West, Jay-Z and Big Jean had high praise for the brand; adorning themselves with exclusive pieces.
Following the success of the first venture, the duo went on to launch their second jewellery line Ambush in 2008. Ambush allowed the designers to be experimental, introducing bold designs and innovation, through expanding their use of metals, plastics and more unusual materials.
Courted by the fashion media; the design team won acclaim once again with Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Odd Future also championing their jewellery.
Ambush’s ingenuity has led to collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Georg Jenson and Mattel to name but a few. For 2013 Underground collaborated with Ambush, incorporating hip hop sensibilities with Rock ‘n’ Roll distinction.
