This baseball cap actually lights up! Kevin Bui turns street culture into dreamy paper lamps
Street style can be this soft, too!
Summary
- Designer Kevin Bui combines the classic baseball cap silhouette with traditional paper lantern craftsmanship to create eye-catching “baseball cap paper lamps.”
- The design is inspired by Isamu Noguchi’s iconic Akari paper lamp series, blending street culture with home aesthetics.
- Every lamp is handmade, and Kevin Bui is still refining the rattan frame and how it’s bonded with washi paper.
- More team versions and classic colorways are planned, turning the baseball cap from a styling piece into a home lighting fixture.
Who knew a baseball cap could become a lamp, not just something you wear on your head? Designer Kevin Bui recently combined the familiar streetwear baseball cap with traditional paper-lantern craftsmanship to create “baseball cap paper lamps” in New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers colorways. The flat-brim silhouette, team logo, and top button are all faithfully retained, paired with a slender tripod stand. It would be an eye-catching addition to any room.
The inspiration came from Isamu Noguchi’s classic Akari paper lamps
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Look closely: doesn’t this lamp seem a little familiar? Kevin Bui drew inspiration from Isamu Noguchi’s classic Akari series. As paper lanterns have regained popularity in recent years, many creators have begun making lamps from materials such as washi paper and rattan. As a fan of sneakers, clothing, and sports culture, Bui began to wonder what streetwear elements would look like in traditional paper-lantern craftsmanship. That’s how this unexpected baseball cap paper lamp came to be.
It looks simple, yet even the cap’s curve is incredibly difficult to make
Images from / @kevinconcepts
Turning a baseball cap into a paper lamp is much harder than it looks. Kevin Bui says structural development is nearly 90% complete, with the cap’s rounded crown presenting the biggest challenge. Because the rattan frame is so delicate, the washi paper can easily come loose during assembly. He’s continually adjusted the frame molds and even pre-cut the washi paper into different shapes so it would conform more closely to the classic cap shape.
Even more beautiful when lit, the streetwear baseball cap instantly takes on a softer feel
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What really catches the eye is how it looks once lit. Take the Dodgers version: its signature bright blue, white LA logo, and cap-top details are all still there. The structured baseball cap, once full of streetwear attitude, takes on a warm, quiet atmosphere through the soft light filtering through the washi paper. Kevin Bui has also hinted that he’ll explore more teams and classic colorways in the future. If these lamps do go on sale, will trend lovers be adding another lamp to their rooms?
Join Popbee Circle and subscribe to the Popbee newsletter for the latest updates, plus early access to special perks and discounts! Beyond this story, here are a few recent articles worth checking out:
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