Milan Fashion Week saw a touch of zen in the wildly sporty soul of Japanese fashion brand Onitsuka Tiger
Andrea Pompilio, Creative Director at Onitsuka Tiger, knows the brand inside and out. From the vibrant expressions of tiger prints in last year’s collection, to their most recent Milan show adorned in flames and layers, Pompilio knows how to make an impact. But in their fourth run at Milan Fashion Week, the contemporary fashion brand pulls from its heritage of Japanese urban fashion and striking sportswear and strips them to their bare forms. Through this, Pompilio elevates the sporty spirit of the brand and takes it outside its boundaries, reinterpreting it in a ready-to-wear key.
Japanese minimalism
The simplest of garments have become design objects through choice alterations and visual tweaks. The body becomes the focal point, borrowing cues from Japanese clothing tradition and giving it an urban twist. Long drawstrings transform oversized georgette T-shirts into embossed tops. Sculpt skirts made from Japanese nylon come in pleats, resembling hakama worn by kyūdō archers. Their strong attention to detail should not go unnoticed, such as zigzag stitching on the embroidered logo and decorative seams on the hems.
The Onitsuka Tiger iconic jumpsuit comes in a wide-curved, ultra-baggy version that’s a fit with the times. Hit urban elements reveal themselves in the collection. Light safari nylon dresses can be shortened with hidden zippers, and miniskirts get a touch of the streets with large patch pockets. Action amid the sense of rest is heightened with an unexpected three-dimensional volume that can be altered on the spot. Drawstrings redefine silhouettes, dresses can be taken apart, and jackets can be worn with capes borrowed from trench coats. White and black become the dominant palette for the collection, and touches of their signature yellow and shiso green cut through—an homage to nature, inspired by Japanese basil leaves.
Shoes and accessories also make an impact. The iconic SERRANO shoes have boldly printed graphics reminiscent of tiger scratches, and now have been reintroduced as the TIRRACK model. The season’s newest must-haves are the SCLAW and SCLAW MT models: Japanese setta-inspired leather flip-flops that match the outgoing nature of the collection.
Among the collection’s accessories are a baseball cap with both front and back brims, as well as bags embroidered with the logo and the Claw Stripes, coming in three sizes which includes a chic micro size. Bang & Olufsen headphones around some of the models’ necks complete select looks.
A variety of stars familiar to our eyes also made their presence felt in the show, such as style icon Heart Evangelista, K-Pop idol Yugyeom of GOT7, and even Thai silver screen star Baifern. Undoubtedly, the event showcases the continuation of the brand’s fusion of fashion and sports, as well as heritage and innovation.
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