Onitsuka Tiger shows off its theme of “Urban Duality” at Milan Fashion Week.
When Kihachiro Onitsuka first began crafting shoes in the 1950s, he was motivated by the idea that sports had the potential to transform other people’s lives by bringing communities together. With this as his inspiration, Onitsuka Tiger was born with an original line of sneakers heavily influenced by sports such as football, bowling, and even martial arts.
Over seventy years later, Onitsuka Tiger remains a relevant name in the fashion zeitgeist—and now, they are pushing the boundaries of the brand’s iconic look.
For their recently unveiled 2025 Autumn/Winter Yellow Collection, the Japanese brand is going back to its roots, looking to Tokyo for inspiration, a city considered to be a cultural melting pot where diverse influences collide. The bustling energy of Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku contrast distinctly with the almost rural quiet of its surrounding areas, creating a stark contrast where lives move at a quick pace, yet there remains room for serenity and reflection—much like the lives of athletes.
With this in mind, their new collection captures Japan’s essence, blending tradition with modern flair.
Fusing diverse styles together, the Onitsuka Tiger 2025 Autumn/Winter Yellow Collection blends country-inspired looks with punk-studded accents to craft a new aesthetic that you can play around with and make entirely your own.
Classic everyday pieces such as zip-up jackets, cardigans, bomber jackets, and pea coats, as well as pleated skirts, loose-fitted blouses, and delicate dresses, get a refreshed look with handmade embroidery, Nordic patterns, wavy volumes, and dynamic textures. The collection also incorporates cowboy-inspired motifs to evoke the peace of Japan’s rural areas.
The shoes of this collection also follow the same theme of fusing the old and new together. Ballerina flats are given an edge using studs and squared metal toes; the brand’s iconic archive weightlifting shoes have also been given an upgrade, with a studded lace-up leather style; and Onitsuka Tiger’s iconic MEXICO 66 model was reimagined in all black with crystal studs, evoking 1980s pop music.
Finally, two bags round out the collection: the signature Onitsuka bowling bag, reimagined with crystal embellishments, and a new mini pochette with oversized straps, set to become an instant cult favorite.
These pieces match the energy of sports and casualwear today — blending nostalgia with futuristic styles, and marrying style with comfort, to create a unique look that you can use to feed your own personal style.
The Onitsuka Tiger 2025 Autumn/Winter Yellow Collection was unveiled with much fanfare, as celebrities from all over the world gathered together to watch the brand’s runway show. MOMO from TWICE, Thai actor Gulf Kanawut, Korean actor Wi Hajun, Chinese actor Ziyi Wang, Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin, and Filipina actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista were spotted at the fashion show.
Images courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger.