A significant collaboration is set to blend athletic heritage with high fashion as Onitsuka Tiger, founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, partners with Italian luxury house Versace, established in 1978 by Gianni Versace, for their Spring/Summer 2026 collection. This partnership merges Versace's distinctive design ethos with Onitsuka Tiger's iconic athletic silhouettes.
The collaboration centers on a reimagining of Onitsuka Tiger's TAI-CHI silhouette. These pieces are meticulously crafted in Onitsuka Tiger's San'in Tottori factory in Japan, utilizing premium Italian leather. Key details include double stitching on the signature Onitsuka Tiger stripe panels and the Versace Medusa symbol integrated as stud embellishments on the shoe tongues. To achieve a vintage texture, the uppers undergo specialized washing and rubbing processes.
Beyond the TAI-CHI, the collection includes a line of loafers expertly produced in Italy, embodying a fusion of Italian craftsmanship and Japanese design sensibility. The collection is scheduled to debut in select Versace flagship stores globally and via Versace's official online store in Spring 2026.
This collaboration aligns with a growing trend of luxury brands partnering with heritage sportswear labels to create unique items that bridge performance and high fashion. Industry analysts suggest such cross-sector partnerships are crucial for capturing new market segments and generating buzz in the competitive fashion landscape.