Vol. 20: The Sporty Side of Luxury Brands

Yusuke“Lately, I’ve been drawn to the sporty items released by luxury brands. While sporty-style items have always been part of their collections, recently, we’re seeing a continuous stream of pieces that make you think, ‘What on earth is this?!’ Items and details that were once secondary players, like tracksuits, waist pouches, and high-tech outsoles, have now taken center stage. There’s a real freshness to that.

When you think of sportswear, the first thing that comes to mind is the tracksuit, but in the Kansai region, it’s directly linked to Yankee culture. When I was in Kyoto, their style was to change out of their school uniforms into tracksuits and hit the town (of course, I was just an observer).

But looking back, it’s also true that many of them were obsessively clean. That’s why cars were no-shoes zones, and their tracksuits had to be kept spotless and ironed. Every time I see a tracksuit from a luxury brand, I can’t help but recall that image. To distance myself from that, I plan to wear mine with the latest sneakers to make a sharp statement.

Additionally, I think Gucci’s belt bag is another item that reinterprets the sporty aesthetic in a new way. It’s an item that embraces elements that might seem a bit unfashionable, offering more than just practicality. I’m impressed by the exquisite balance they strike. Wearing it diagonally across the body is both stylish and intriguing.”

Right: Track jacket ¥160,000, track pants ¥95,000. Left: Track jacket ¥160,000, track pants ¥130,000 (all by Valentino / Valentino Information Desk 03-6384-3512). *Other items are the model’s own.

VALENTINO

A track jacket and pants in a slightly lustrous green jersey, decorated with white piping and stitching. Delicate white ribbing at the collar, and at the hem of the pants...

• To article page

Dior Homme

A skateboard printed with a painting by French artist François Barbeau, the brand logo, and the LATE NIGHT PARIS emblem. Seen on the summer collection runway...

• To article page

PRADA

A design reminiscent of a swing top, with snap button closure at the high neck, zippered pockets, and Velcro cuffs add functionality. Enhancing the sporty look...

• To article page

LANVIN

A nylon hat with a dynamic print catches the eye, featuring a clever detail where the logo is inverted upon closer inspection. By opening the button on the back and turning it inside out, it becomes packable, allowing for...

• To article page

STELLA McCARTNEY MENSWEAR

A hooded poncho finished in nylon with a refined sheen. It's not only waterproof but also easy to wear with its long sleeves featuring elastic cuffs, and long side slits allow for...

• To article page

GUCCI

The retro-inspired GUCCI logo printed on soft textured leather is a reinterpretation of vintage prints from the 1980s. The lining has a smooth feel...

• To article page

TOM FORD

Velvet tassel slip-ons are combined with high-tech sneaker outsoles, chicly refining the sporty nuance. The lustrous blue satin quilting and...

• To article page

SPOTLIGHT

TOM FORD TIMEPIECE N° 001

Yusuke“Tom Ford has finally launched its watch collection, ‘TOM FORD TIMEPIECE N°001.’ The fact that the first model features a rectangular case is...

• To article page