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Combining craftsmanship and creativity, Onitsuka Tiger’s line of sneakers made by Japanese artisans are just what you need in your wardrobe
In the sneaker community, few things are more revered than a “Made in Japan” stamp. It’s synonymous with quality, tradition and the notion of human connection achieved through a handmade product. Those are the ideas that lie at the heart of Onitsuka Tiger’s Nippon Made collection.
The line was launched in 2008, six years after Onitsuka Tiger reintroduced itself as a fashion brand. At the time, the Japanese company had gone global largely thanks to Uma Thurman; the Hollywood actress’s badass role in Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 hit film, Kill Bill, had inspired fans to emulate her style, right down to her Onitsuka Tiger Tai-Chi sneakers. Onitsuka Tiger made it possible by expanding into Europe, opening up flagship stores in London’s Regent Street, Milan’s Corso Como, Tokyo’s Omotesando district, and most recently, the newly minted and expanded store at Singapore’s Takashimaya Shopping Centre.
Even as it established an international presence, Onitsuka Tiger remained rooted in Japan. Its anchor? While production processes may differ for different shoe styles, for some designs, the birth of these sneakers starts in the remote Tottori prefecture, where the Nippon Made sneakers come to life.
Read more: Onitsuka Tiger Releases Edgy New Collection With Willow Smith
Above Rachel Wong wears the Limber Up NM in white, blue and red
Above Glenn Goh wears the Limber Up NM in black, white and orange
Rachel Wong wears the Limber Up NM in white, blue and red
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Each pair tells a story at the hands of Onitsuka Tiger’s Japanese artisans, who cut, sew, polish and assemble the many parts of the shoes with a level of precision and attention that reveal their decades of experience.
The Tottori workshop is also home to state-of-the-art equipment, so technology and time-honoured techniques can come together to create Onitsuka Tiger’s finest shoes—not just for the Nippon Made line, but also as custom designs for professional Japanese athletes and Olympic medalists.
Masterfully crafted, the Nippon Made sneakers are the very definition of luxury. But they’re not meant to be too precious to be lived in, which is where Onitsuka Tiger’s processing factory in Osaka comes in. There, the Nippon Made sneakers are imbued with character as they are individually dyed, washed, painted and treated to take on distinctive appearances.
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Above Farah Farz wears the Limber Up NM in white and blue
Above Arian Teo wears the Limber Up NM in white, green and red
Farah Farz wears the Limber Up NM in white and blue
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In short, on top of stellar craftsmanship, every pair of Nippon Made sneakers boasts its own personality, which is ultimately how Onitsuka Tiger has built a diverse community of loyal fans who value both style, substance and most importantly, the superior comfort it provides. That’s what ties the likes of photography whiz Arian Teo, style maven Glenn Goh, DJ Farah Farz and creative Rachel Wong together.
All four individuals work the Limber Up NM sneakers—one of the designs from the Nippon Made collection—in their own way. Injecting the training shoes that originally debuted in 1961 with a vibrant, youthful energy, the Singapore style stars also highlight the versatility of the unisex sneakers: wear them with a laidback, 90s-inspired outfit like Teo, or put a sporty spin on your favourite office-friendly ensemble like Farz.
There are even more sartorial possibilities to discover with the rest of the Nippon Made collection. Drawing from one of Onitsuka Tiger’s trail running shoes from the 1980s, the Colorado Eighty-Five NM is an on-trend chunky silhouette that offers comfort and a burst of colour, especially if you pick the yellow and black colourway that mirrors Thurman’s aforementioned kicks. The Moal 77, meanwhile, will appeal to those who have a thing for streamlined ’70s sneakers, especially with its smooth suede touches.
Onitsuka Tiger’s Nippon Made sneakers are already crafted to be some of the best shoes out there. All that’s left for you to discover the difference when you put on a pair.
Onitsuka Tiger’s exclusive Nippon Made collection is now available online and at the Onitsuka Tiger store at B1-37/38 Takashimaya S. C.
Credits
Content Direction: Adriel Chiun
Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow
Videography: Nicola Ng
Styling: Adriel Chiun
Hair: Leong using Keune Haircosmetics
Make-Up: Angel Gwee using Dior Beauty
Photography Assistant: Eric Tan
Pameyla Cambe is the Assistant Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She handles the Fashion section of the website, where she reports on trends, the hottest fashion launches and what your favourite Asian celebrities are wearing.
