FRED PERRY | Second collaboration polo shirt with Pirko Takahashi released

FRED PERRY

TAKAHASHI HIROKO for FRED PERRY: The Collaboration Between Fred Perry and Artist Hiroko Takahashi

The Second Collaboration: A Polo Shirt of Duality

Last July, the project “TAKAHASHI HIROKO for FRED PERRY” released its first collaboration between Fred Perry and artist Hiroko Takahashi,the tenugui '100x35' and 'SLEEVE BAG'.The second collaboration, a polo shirt, will be available from Friday, May 16th.

Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)

An Approach Where Front and Back Present Entirely Different Impressions

Artwork on the back, as if carrying a canvas──The iconic circles and lines drawn by artist Hiroko Takahashi are masterfully integrated into Fred Perry's polo shirt.

The silhouette, born from expressing her signature patterns of circles and lines, is crafted from two separate front and back panels. This results in a polo shirt of duality, featuring a clean facade contrasted by a striking, bold rear that leaves a lasting impression.

Regarding the design, Takahashi commented, "My iconic pattern, composed of circles and straight lines, is printed only on the back. In recent times, fashion is often cited as an example of expressing individuality, but sometimes the item's strong character can overshadow the wearer's own.
With a plain front, this polo shirt does not interfere with the wearer's face, their expressions, or the individuality conveyed through their demeanor. I want people to cherish their own uniqueness and face themselves. Let this polo shirt be the sole statement on your back."

A Dyeing Factory Where Only Women Handle the Printing Process

The printing for this "TAKAHASHI HIROKO for FRED PERRY" polo shirt was carried out at Toufuku Sangyo Co., Ltd., a dyeing factory located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.

At Toufuku Sangyo's factory, only women are involved in the printing process. They are renowned for their meticulous attention to detail and high level of skill, qualities unique to women. Their ability to handle small-batch production of diverse items has earned them high praise from numerous renowned brands and designers.

Regarding the dyeing factory, Takahashi stated, "It's a factory I trust implicitly. When I visit, I can feel the passion of the female artisans striving to create something excellent. In Japan, where manufacturing sites are declining, this factory is incredibly precious to me. The polo shirt is made of a stretchy pique fabric, which is very difficult for a printing factory to handle. They carefully adjust the print size and the spacing for repeated prints, taking into account the shrinkage of the pigments used."

We hope you enjoy styling this polo shirt this summer, born from a factory that consistently supplies high-quality products without succumbing to the pressures of the competitive fashion industry.

Additionally, new colors will be released for the tenugui '100x35' and 'SLEEVE BAG' that were launched in the first collaboration last year.