Thank you to everyone who came by the previous RAWLOW MOUNTAIN WORKS and MINIMALIGHT POPUP, Tomei POP UP TOUR Vol.1.
Since we called it Vol.1, of course, we have a Vol.2 ready for you!
This time, we’re hosting a POPUP for WELLDONE, a longtime friend of Circles Nagoya. With “Bicycle + α” as its theme, WELLDONE continues to connect cycling with another kind of fun, from bikepacking and hiking to cycling and camping!
【Dates】
Tokyo: Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7
Nagoya: Friday, July 12–Sunday, July 14
Hours follow each store’s regular business hours.
Both events run Friday through Sunday, and both the Tokyo and Nagoya locations are Circles. Please make sure you head to the right one!
WELLDONE
WELLDONE is the brand of Takashi Inoue (a.k.a. Inocchi), a figure who has become an indispensable part of the Circles story. A friendly big brother, he looked after me tremendously when I was assigned to Nagoya. I also had him make me a custom frame bag, which I use all the time, so I’m really excited to work with him in Tokyo for this POPUP! But first, let’s take a fresh look at how the brand came about.
I think Inocchi and Circles representative Shinya Tanaka are both masters of having fun. Plenty of people know how readily they spot one interesting thing after another. Inocchi has explored all kinds of pastimes, and naturally, cycling is one of them. He’s such a bike lover that he owns bikes from DESALVO and VICIOUS.
Inocchi was also a key figure behind “NUTS!”, a legendary monthly cycling event held in Nagoya during Circles’ early days. Known for his skill with his hands (which I imagine he developed through hobbies like building plastic models), he was asked to make cycling caps as prizes for the event—and that’s how the brand got its start.
In the brand’s earliest days, he set up an atelier inside the Daisy Messenger building, making messenger bags while sometimes working as a messenger himself. Later, when he established an atelier inside the Circles building, he also worked as a painter for Kyutai Paint, helping paint frames as he continued to grow the brand.
Then, in 2020, he opened the brick-and-mortar store pot equipment store. Alongside selling his own products, the store showcases brands connected to outdoor and bicycle culture, with a focus on small-scale manufacturers.
Drawing on a lifetime of enjoying all kinds of cultures and pastimes, WELLDONE creates products with originality and a welcoming spirit. As exemplified by the Chips Bag, the brand’s appeal lies in its playful designs and thoughtful craftsmanship that puts the user first.
Highlights of This POPUP
1. Custom Frame Bag Order Event
A bike’s frame is where a builder’s or brand’s philosophy comes through most strongly, and frames come in all shapes and forms. Especially with frames like the SKLAR and RETROTEC in the photo, which have a bend in the top tube, the exact shape of the bend varies from one frame to another, making it hard to get a clean fit with a ready-made bag. When you’ve chosen a bike with such care, you want to carry your things beautifully. A custom frame bag is the answer.
Another thing that sets WELLDONE’s custom frame bags apart is how much freedom you have. In conversation with each customer, Inocchi takes their requests and, drawing on his wealth of experience, shapes them into a triangle of canvas. It’s no exaggeration to call him an artist.
The finished frame bag reflects your personal style and is made to work just for you. We look forward to your orders!
2. POPUP Special Items
For this POPUP, he’s made a phone case, plus special-color versions of the WALKY TUBE BAG and WRAP TOP BAG inspired by the iconic mural at Circles Tokyo!
The lineup will be packed with highlights, including the cycling cap that sparked the brand’s creation, the Chips Bag, and the newly made Trail Apron. We look forward to seeing you!
We hope you’ll come not only to shop, but also to ask Inocchi all about his experiences as a designer. We’re sure you’ll become a fan, too.
Gather your friends and come visit Circles in Tokyo or Nagoya!
