The Japanese streetwear brand Ambush was founded in 2008 by Korean-Japanese hip-hop artist Verbal and Korean-American graphic designer Yoon Ahn.
It all started in 2004 when Yoon, driven by her passion for jewelry, launched a haute couture jewelry collection in Tokyo to complement Verbal’s stage outfits. Unexpectedly, its avant-garde and pioneering designs received overwhelming acclaim, propelling AMBUSH to instant fame—not only within the hip-hop and streetwear scenes but also in the fashion industry. The brand quickly gained recognition from industry heavyweights such as Kanye West, Pharrell, A$AP Rocky, and K-pop fashion icon G-Dragon, leading to numerous high-profile collaborations.
AMBUSH is known for its innovative and gender-fluid jewelry, often drawing inspiration from underground and street culture. Yoon excels at transforming everyday objects—like soda can bags, clip earrings, and lighter necklaces—into trendy fashion statements, redefining the essence of streetwear accessories. Her talent and unique vision also earned her the position of head jewelry designer at Dior Men, handpicked by Kim Jones.
In 2018, AMBUSH expanded into apparel design. Unlike its bold and unconventional accessories, Yoon’s clothing designs focus on vintage American hip-hop aesthetics and functional military-inspired silhouettes, with meticulous attention to detail. For the Spring/Summer 2022 collection, Yoon drew inspiration from nature, freedom, and modernity, seamlessly integrating AMBUSH’s signature sleek lines with haute couture-like craftsmanship. The collection also features a rich variety of textures, including leather, sequins, and knits, adding depth and contrast to the designs.