New York City, the World’s Marathon, had another layer of meaning this year as we had the opportunity to collaborate with Japanese heritage running brand, ASICS. Wanting to amplify every aspect of the collaboration, we merged our design inspiration, drawing from both brands with the bold spirit of New York. Pulsed throughout the collection, you’ll find "NY" emblazoned as the lead graphic on tees, hoodies, socks, and hats all in the handwriting of this partnership. "The World’s Marathon" is thoughtfully woven through other silhouettes making them as commemorative as they are timeless.
While Eastern and Western cultures are distinct in many ways, they share common threads within the broader human experience—particularly in their appreciation of artistic expression. Both traditions have produced iconic works in painting, sculpture, and literature that reflect their unique identities while also resonating with universal human values.
Drawing inspiration from the influential careers of American artist Isamu Noguchi and Japanese designer Issey Miyake, we explore the harmonious fusion of East and West in this collection. Noguchi, born to a Japanese father in California, spent his formative years in Japan, and his dual-cultural perspective became a defining element of his work. Later, he collaborated with renowned American furniture makers like Herman Miller and Knoll to create timeless mid-century designs. Miyake, influenced by Noguchi, revolutionized fashion in the mid-1980s by reinventing the pleat, marrying form and function to enhance freedom of movement.
Art, at its best, teaches us the value of blending diverse systems and cultures—allowing them to coexist without erasing their origins. The “East Meets West” concept highlights the shared human experience, celebrating both the differences and connections between these worlds.
From a print aspect, there was initial inspiration drawn from Kasuri, a traditional Japanese weaving technique where threads are dyed to create intricate patterns. This technique features fibers dyed with resist methods, producing characteristic blurred patterns when woven. Reinterpreted through the Bandit lens, Kasuri serves as inspiration for the collection’s graphics and prints, enriching the East Meets West collaboration with a deep cultural narrative.
Taking cues from Japanese graphic designer Yusaku Kamekura, famous for his work on the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, we look to re-interpret the original inspiration of Kasuri in a much more minimal, refined style. Additionally, gradients soften the otherwise graphic collection, with prints inspired by the sun rising and setting along the horizon further embody the East-West dialogue, representing the passage of time and cultural exchange.
The collection features clean, modern designs that play with both color blocking and print blocking, creating a balance between performance and lifestyle pieces. Layering tees, long sleeves, and hoodies provide versatility, with bold color, print, and graphic elements adding depth and visual interest.
Grounded in classic Bandit Black and rich and saturated Port, the line is punctuated with accents of orchid tint, icy blue, and an optimistic touch of petal red. While originally inspired by vintage runway, the use of the palette evokes a timeless sophistication. These colors remain versatile and enduring, tying together the East Meets West narrative with subtle elegance.
This collection explores the interplay between Eastern and Western design, drawing inspiration from the artistry of American-Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi and fashion innovator Issey Miyake. Noguchi’s work embodies a fusion of Japanese and American cultures, resulting in timeless designs that bring depth and harmony to both functional and aesthetic forms. Miyake, influenced by Noguchi, revolutionized fashion with pleating techniques that married form with freedom of movement. "East Meets West" celebrates this duality, blending cultures while preserving their distinct identities.
The collection’s graphics and prints are inspired by Japanese Kasuri weaving and reinterpreted through a minimalist Bandit lens. The palette includes classic Bandit Black and rich Port, with accents of orchid, icy blue, and petal red, evoking sophistication and balance. Each piece plays with color blocking and print blocking, creating layers that transition effortlessly between performance and lifestyle, bringing to life a modern yet timeless narrative of cultural connection.
Eastern and Western cultures, while distinct, share a deep appreciation for artistic expression that reveals universal human values. This collection, inspired by American artist Isamu Noguchi and Japanese designer Issey Miyake, captures this blend of cultures. Noguchi, shaped by his dual Japanese-American heritage, created works that bridged these two worlds, especially in mid-century design. Miyake, influenced by Noguchi, transformed fashion by combining form and function, exemplifying how art can merge diverse traditions to enrich human experience. The collection embraces this “East Meets West” ethos, celebrating both the uniqueness and shared qualities of these cultures.
The design pulls from traditional Japanese craftsmanship, particularly Kasuri, a weaving technique that creates intricate, blurred patterns by resist-dyeing threads. This technique, reimagined through a minimal lens informed by graphic designer Yusaku Kamekura. Gradients soften the collection, echoing the horizon at sunrise and sunset, symbolizing time and cultural exchange. The collection’s aesthetic mixes modern design with a balanced color palette of Bandit Black, Port, orchid tint, icy blue, and petal red. These hues enhance the East-West narrative with sophistication and timelessness, balancing performance and lifestyle across versatile pieces.
