MFW: Walks the Streets of Tokyo With Onitsuka Tiger Autumn/Winter 2025

A collage of styles that represent Tokyo.

Named the “Urban Duality”, Onitsuka Tiger sent its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection down at the recent Milan Fashion Week graced by brand ambassador MOMO from TWICE, Thai actor Gulf Kanawut, Korean actor Wi Hajun, Chinese actor Ziyi Wang, and Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin. The lineup shown this season encapsulates and highlights the contrasting energy between the bustling fashion districts in Tokyo—Shibuya, Shinjuku and Harajuku—and the tranquil its neighbouring cities have to offer.

Walk into any of the Onitsuka Tiger’s flagship stores in Japan and you will be greeted with a passionate crowd, locals or tourists, Gen-Z or not, the brand—especially the Mexico 66 shoes worn by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill back in 2003—has been gaining momentum on the internet, crowned as one of the most wanted fashion piece this season.

For decades, the Japan-born brand has been carrying the responsibility of giving international audiences a peek into the street styles from the other side of the world. Layered with a heavy influence of American street style, faultless precision and pragmatism, Japanese fashion is known for being a cultural melting pot. Diverse, distinctive, and idiosyncratic, the sprawling streets in the frenetic metropolis celebrate individuality and innovation while preserving the unstudied attitude.

Through the vision of Andrea Pompilio, the Italian designer at Onitsuka Tiger, the Autumn/Winter 2025 collection explores the fascinating duality of this modern and traditional collision; where wax-finishing parkas (think: British countryside) set off the punk-inspired studded flats, tailored pea coats with tassel ties, gorpcore-inspired zip-up jackets topped with velvet collars set side by side with dainty dresses added with lace inserts made with silk, or even the synthetic leather that are contrary to the soft and snuggly knitwear decorated with Nordic patterns. It’s an energetic hodgepodge that would otherwise seem absurd in another setting if not Tokyo.

Completing the collection is the sublime assemblage of accessories—Onitsuka Tiger’s long suit. Slouchy Texan-style leather boots fastened with leather straps complement the slimmed silhouettes, studded lace-up shoes toughen up the soft knit looks, and metal-accented ballerina flats decorated with Western-inspired prints are paired sensibly with slate grey coats. The signature Mexico 66 too, received a glamorous ‘80s makeover, bedazzled with shining crystal studs. Joining the glimmering team is the Onitsuka bowling bag, reimagined with crystal embellishments—perfect for an ‘80s pop music-themed party.