SPECIAL REPORTDAMAN^AUGUST/SEPTEMBER2019178
THE GLOBAL
TOUCH
LAST JUNE, ONITSUKA
TIGER HOSTED ITS
2019 FALL/WINTER
COLLECTION AT
BANGKOK, THAILAND,
DISPLAYING THEIR
REFERENCES TO
EUROPE’S CLUB SCENE
IN THE ’90S. RIGA
RAMADHAN REPORTST
he popular Japanese footwear brand
Onitsuka Tiger hosted its Autumn
Winter 2019 launch event in Thailand.
DA MAN was among the select few invited to
the launch event which was held at Warehouse
30 in Bangkok and had a front row view of a
collection that showcases a curated array of
shoes and apparel, combined from the edgy
look of European rave scene of the ‘90s with
the craftsmanship and a classical touch that has
come to characterize the Japanese brand.Let the Rave Begin
As Onitsuka Tiger officially launched its fall/
winter 2019 collection, based on the theme of
“Downtown Rave” with artistic direction by
Onitsuka Tiger’s Creative Director Andrea
Pompilio, it chose a once abandoned warehousevenue featuring a centerstage of live mannequins
and a hypnotic LED visual display with the
thumping beat of electronic dance music,
showcasing the newest looks of the season.
With electronic music fueled by an
independent spirit among its youth, a new
wave of cutting-edge fashion emerged. “The
inspiration takes reference to Europe’s club
scene in the ’90s,” explains Pompilio when asked
about the story behind this collection. “At that
time, it’s safe to say that the outfits were like
the borderline between the ’80s and ’90s kind
of styles.” This season’s fashionable athletic wear
incorporates that spirit with bold color blocks
and logo play, while the looks are minimalist
and styled oversized. Quilted outers such as
‘snowboarder’ looks reminiscent of the style
witnessed in many club scenes at that time is
paired with chunky sneakers, emblazoned with
the Onitsuka Tiger stripes.Between the Lines
Describing the looks with keywords like “The
Nineties,” “Clubbing Snowboarder” and “Retro-
Futuristic,” the collection is divided into five