Yuriko Iga is the dreamer behind and founder of BLIM, everyone’s favourite hub of creativity in Chinatown. She curated our #Catwalk launch party, and regularly hosts the lovely BLIM markets around Vancouver. BLIM is undeniably a space that could’ve only originated in the loveliest of brains. This is Yuriko’s take on how BLIM came to exist as it does today, and her goals for moving forward.
1. You were crucial in organizing our fantastic Cat Issue launch party. Could you describe your role for me? What was your favourite part of planning the Catwalk?
I designed and created some of the items, the rest I curated – fashion curator or stylist. Favourite part is putting together the outfits, and choosing the music.
2. Tell me about BLIM. What is it? How would you describe it as an organization?
BLIM is an independent, family-run art and craft facility now located in the heart of Vancouver’s Historic Chinatown. Our aim is to help build community through the spirit of fun and creativity, making the arts and crafts accessible to a wide range of skill sets and aims.
Blim retail consists of unique cosmic apparel handmade and hand printed exclusively by Blim. All product is made in our Blim studio and print shop. We also have a very selective line of vintage and dead stock as well at blim.bigcartel.com
3. How long has BLIM been around? How did it come to be?
Since 2003.
[From Blim’s website] Imagined at age 4, Blim founder Yuriko Iga created her imaginary animal kingdom of humanized animals wearing funky clothes called Blim Blim. She kept her imaginary world a secret until her early adult years. She eventually realized that she wanted to share her vision with the rest of the world. She dropped the other Blim and made it one.
Yuriko is very inspired by early 80’s hip hop style, japanese pop aesthetic, avant garde fashion, new wave music, animals, 80’s graphics, candy, and bright colors.
4. What are your goals for BLIM?
1) Maintaining studio and fun workshops for the creatively hungry.
2) Maintaining the shop to serve all your cat, sloth, unicorn, dinosaur, weed, goth, pop, comic, holographic, rainbow, metallic, egyptian, aztec, harajuku, neon, animal needs.
5. What’s something that people don’t know about BLIM that they should?
35% Blim made, 15 % local artists brands , 25% Japan and Asian import, 10% designer deadstock, 15% vintage, = 100% random awesomeness!
6. Is there a certain culture that BLIM promotes?
Culture from another dimension. That was what someone who came into the shop said and it stuck with me! But in a nutshell, [Blim is] 80’s 90’s hip hop style, japanese street fashion, avant garde fashion, new wave music, cats, dogs, wild cats, unicorns, sloths, dinosaurs, fast food, animals, 80’s graphics, candy, and bright colors, rainbow, Lisa Frank, cult art, comics, cartoons, texture, Marble print, psychedelic art, raver culture.
7. How and when did you start putting together the monthly BLIM markets? We love them.
Since 2003. We used to do them in the penthouse of the old electrical building. The ceiling panels were painted in ornamental stencils, there was a 10x10x10 white cube to display objects or use as gallery. The pong room was black lacquered and house the ping pong table with the same palette. Out of the pong room we served grilled savoury mochi with nori and cheese, vegetarian quejos with avocado and umbeboshi salt, and special shortbread cookies…
You can catch BLIM’s next market at Heritage Hall this Sunday! SAD Mag will be there with our new Cat Issue and discounted subscriptions on sale for $20!
