G-Sessions Final Berlin

an inspirational journey

Over 1,000 guests gathered in Kraftwerk Mitte, Berlin, to help G-SHOCK round off its Pan-European G-SESSIONS contest - a fitting conclusion to the Japanese brand’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Celebrity sightings included Palina Rojinski, Hadnet Tesfai, Jana Pallaske, rapper Harris as well as all members of Kraftklub. One major draw was GENETIKK, the masked rap duo from Saarbrücken, whose onstage energy more than justified their number one placing in the German album charts. Their current album D.N.A. bristles with witty texts and a forceful delivery that fluctuates between street and outer space. The masks they wear emphasise the artistic nature of their act, and live at the G-SESSIONS final, the effect on the fans - who needed little encouragement to rap along with every line - was close to hypnotic.

Drawing from the long history of G-SHOCK, the event hosted a comprehensive showcase of the most rare, and most amazing limited editions and collab G-SHOCK models of the past. On stage, Yuichi Masuda, Head of Product Development at Casio, impressively demonstrated that G-SHOCK never stands still - by showing off the latest and yet to be released watches by G-SHOCK.

Nikita Vilkin Yarutskiy is one of Russia’s best known action sports photographers. To him, it’s very special to leave the G-SESSIONS as winner: “I was already really thrilled about Russia being a part of the G-SHOCK G-SESSIONS! For me it was very important to integrate my influences from the skateboard culture into my idea, especially the difficulty of overcoming your own fear is essential to me. So, I am really happy about the fact that G-SHOCK fans all over Europe appreciated my idea, and that I can wear my own vision on my wrist very soon!“

G-SHOCK has a lot of shared history with Hip Hop - after all, they’re both 30 years old. So what could be more appropriate than to have the turntables manned jointly by cutting-edge DJ ESKEI83 (fresh from carrying off third place in the recent Red Bull DJ world championship) and Hip Hop DJ legend STYLEWARZ? Drawing on three whole decades of Rap, the tip-top tag team treated the Berlin crowd to one winner after another. For some of those present, it was an evening that turned back time - and the two DJs were also clearly enjoying the trip down memory lane.

 

From G-SESSIONS to award ceremony 
- an inspirational journey -

In Milan, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, St. Petersburg, Manchester and Berlin, G- SHOCK has been celebrating its anniversary by holding regional G-SESSIONS. In each of these major European cities, G-SHOCK appointed a leading light from the local creative scene to curate the G-SESSIONS and promote and encourage fresh local talent. These Creative Ambassadors for the G-SESSIONS then selected their creative favourites from among the latest hot designers and artists in their respective cities. The individuals were given the task of creating their own design for a G-SHOCK watch and then developing a presentation to go with it. Not surprisingly, the grand final in November 2013 saw a stunning variety of approaches all battling it out for the prize. The winner was chosen by G-SHOCK fans throughout Europe, who had been voting for their personal favourite at www.g-sessions.eu from 28th of October 2013.

At the G-SESSIONS FINAL in Kraftwerk Mitte, Berlin, on 28 November, the most creative and exciting solution received the award courtesy of G-SHOCK creator Kikuo Ibe himself. The original concept involved the winner’s concept and the resulting watch going into actual production, in a limited edition – in other words, each of the participants was in with a chance of ending up wearing their own personally designed G-SHOCK on their wrist. Due to the high quality of the entries, the huge, international feedback and the very close voting results, G-SHOCK decided to produce all 7 final watches! From 12th of December, the G-SESSIONS G-SHOCKS will be available exclusively at Colette Paris, with a broader release at G-SHOCK stores and selected shops following in January 2014.


G-SESSIONS winner
St. Petersburg // Nikita Vilkin Yarutskiy
Nikita Vilkin Yarutskiy is one of the most popular action sport photographers in Russia. His roots are in the urban spheres of graffiti and skateboarding, and his images have made the covers of publications worldwide. G-SESSIONS FINAL Clip // St. Petersburg


Ambassadors of pan-European G-SESSIONS / Award-finalists

Berlin: Designer Patrick Mohr picked rising design star Thomas Hanisch who just finished his degree at the international fashion school ESMOD just a few months ago. Patrick Mohr was impressed by his extraordinary ideas and creative approach from the beginning. “His designs are very progressive and geometric,” he said. 

Amsterdam: Tomas Overtoom and Liza Korfman founded their Label Ontfront in 2008. The urban dandy-lifestyle brand has already been presented on catwalks in Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Shanghai and claims people like D’Angelo and Musiq Souldchild as fans.

London: Ghostpoet is a London based singer and producer in one. His debut album “Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam” gave him an international reputation as an exciting and unorthodox musician. 

Paris: Kirikoo Des is a Parisian artist working in the fields of dance, music and digital art. He collaborates with artists within the context of diverse musical expressions in developing unique conceptual performances. 

Barcelona: Johann Wald is a Spanish TV presenter. Having studied Cinema and Dramatic Arts in Madrid, he entering into the world of MTV in 2008 and hosted a variety of Spanish TV shows.

Mailand: Giorgio Di Salvo is a designer living and working in Milan. His work ranges from illustration to web design, video and fashion, and includes a line of popular designer tees: Marcelo Burlon County Of Milan. As a side project, Giorgio runs a popular weekly club night called Bruttoposse.