Hip-hop and streetwear have grown up together, and Melbourne's laneways, music venues and street art make it a natural home for both. RVB, a Vietnamese streetwear brand founded in 2020, brings its own take: hip-hop roots shaped by Japanese philosophy. It arrives in Melbourne at Underground by ISY on Smith Street, Collingwood, on 31 October 2026.
Streetwear began as the everyday clothing of subcultures, and hip-hop has been one of its biggest influences: oversized shapes, sneakers, caps, layered looks and a strong sense of personal style. Wearing a brand became a way to show where you come from and what you listen to.
RVB's roots are in hip-hop culture. That shows in its focus on attitude, community and self-expression over polished luxury. What makes it different is the second influence: Japanese philosophy, which shapes how the brand thinks about design.
| Idea | Meaning | What it can mean for clothing |
|---|---|---|
| Wabi-sabi | Beauty in imperfection | Relaxed, lived-in pieces that are not trying to look perfect |
| Ikigai | A reason for being | Designs with a purpose and a point of view |
| Kaizen | Steady improvement | Better fit, fabric and detail season after season |
Melbourne is known for street art, live music and independent shops, and its shoppers tend to value stories and craft. A brand that combines hip-hop energy with a considered design philosophy fits a city that already celebrates creative subcultures.
UBI's founders say they bring brands to Australia because they deserve to be seen properly by people who will never make the trip to Vietnam. RVB is one of five labels in the opening line-up. The store opens upstairs at 282 Smith Street, Collingwood.
Is RVB a hip-hop brand?
RVB has roots in hip-hop culture and expresses them through streetwear, combined with ideas from Japanese philosophy.
What do wabi-sabi, ikigai and kaizen mean?
Wabi-sabi is beauty in imperfection, ikigai is a reason for being, and kaizen is steady improvement.
Where can I find hip-hop influenced streetwear in Melbourne?
Underground by ISY on Smith Street, Collingwood stocks RVB from 31 October 2026, alongside other independent Vietnamese labels.
Is Vietnamese streetwear different from other streetwear?
It varies by brand. RVB blends hip-hop attitude with Japanese-inspired design thinking.
Related reading: RVB lands in Melbourne at Underground by ISY, RVB in Melbourne, Asian streetwear in Melbourne
Shop pieces from the RVB collection.
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