Sportswear Interpreted by Onitsuka Tiger

The brand experienced its heyday in the 1970s, with its innovative fabrics and pieces worn on screen by Bruce Lee.

05.04.2019

WordsManon Baeza

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

In October 2018, during Tokyo Fashion Week, Andrea Pompilio, Artistic Director of Onitsuka Tiger, presented the brand’s new collection. Onitsuka Tiger was founded in 1946 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, a former Japanese military officer, with the aim of giving hope back to the battered and bruised young people of post-war Japan.

Onitsuka Tiger initially specialised in baseball clothes, then, from 1950, running clothes. The brand became known in the 1970s thanks to its bold visuals and innovative materials, and also thanks to Bruce Lee, who wore one of their iconic tracksuits in the film Game of Death. That yellow and black outfit remains ingrained in the memories of many.

 

Giving global success to Asics

In the 1960s, Onitsuka Tiger entered into partnership with Asics. Indeed, it was thanks to this collaboration that Asics went on to achieve global success. Together, they created the ‘Mexico 66’, trainers that everyone was desperate to get their hands on in the 2000s. They were made especially popular by Uma Thurman after she wore them in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. This collection lies at the crossroads between the brand’s many sporting influences and mixes nostalgia with modernity.

 

More information on the brand’s latest collections is available on its website.

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

Spring-Summer 2019, Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger