DAMAN^AUGUST/SEPTEMBER2019179“I kind of
want to break
down the
geographical
barriers.
Onitsuka
Tiger isn't just
a Japanese
company, we're
a global one”
themes—from the Athleisure Mix, the Printed
Noise, the Fluorescent Clubbing Snowboarder,
the Raw Urban Uniform and last but not least
the Berlin Trilogy—with one theme released
every month. The result? It’s safe to say that the
Italian-born Pompilio focused on fashionable
athletic wear in a style incorporating bold
slogans in print and patches, as well as a
snowboarder look. Rest assured, the items were
simple, easy to wear and loose-fitting, with
contemporary designs and the sneakers boast big
logos and chunky soles.
Speaking of which, one of the standouts
from the show is the “Chunky Runner MT”
shoe in a black/vibrant yellow color. It has a
blucher silhouette, which comes with a special
features of the design including “stitching only”
on the inside of the suede fabric tape, and a
combination of ghillie and molded eyelets. This
particular design was a re-interpretation of
the ’90s, which is the theme of this collection,
incorporating the chunky soles inspired by
Buffalo shoes and expressing a ’90s retro-taste.
Aside from a throwback-to ’90s-kind-of-
shoes, the rest of the footwear in the “Downtown
Rave” line also combined Onitsuka Tiger’s
signature—emphasis on the exceptional quality
and comfort—along with a dash of Pompilio’s
youthful and cool aesthetic. Along with chunky
soles, these shoes sport oversized versions of the
brand’s signature interwoven stripe.
Case in point: the Knit Trainer and the Big
Logo Trainer. As for the former, with the brand
icon Onitsuka Tiger stripe BIG logo expressedOne of the standouts from the
collection, the Chunky Runner MT
shoe; live mannequins wearing the
new collection from Onitsuka Tiger;
Onitsuka Tiger's Creative Director
Andrea Pompilio
Opposite page The Onitsuka Tiger
2019 fall/winter collectionwith rubber parts, the upper design is, actually,
minimal. It was formed of a “Knit Upper”
and “Rubber Cage,” resulting a light and very
comfortable shoe to wear.
Meanwhile, for the latter, it has been designed
based on a trail running shoe, while the icon
Onitsuka Tiger stripe BIG logo is featured
on the upper sides, resulting in an impressive
design finish. All in all, as we can see from the
fall/winter 2019 collection, Onitsuka Tiger’s
commitment to both traditional detail and
fashion consciousness is expressed in their newly
designed apparel.
The show was closed by Pompilio in a secret
after party, followed by an army of the model
mannequins sporting an apparel that showed
“Onitsuka Tiger Loves Bangkok.” It was
an iconic moment, which left many excited
and wondering in anticipation just what will
Onitsuka Tiger and Pompilio will do next? And
where, exactly?
“Overall, aesthetically speaking, Onitsuka
Tiger is pretty much international,” Pompilio
exclaims. “I kind of want to break down the
geographical barriers. Onitsuka Tiger is not
just a Japanese company, we’re a global one.”
With this kind of mentality for creativity that
transcends oceans and the spirit of ready to
incorporate innovative ideas and technology,
Onitsuka Tiger surely enjoys world-wide
recognition as a global Japanese brand. And
having said that, there’s always going to be
something to look forward to with Onitsuka
Tiger in the future.