Sometimes a pair of shoes is more than footwear. Sometimes it is history, texture, and the quiet pride of a craft that refuses to rush. That is the feeling you get the moment you lay eyes on Onitsuka Tiger’s new Italian Made series. What began in 1949 with Kihachiro Onitsuka’s mission to uplift youth through sport has evolved into a brand that now balances legacy with modern artistry. The latest chapter arrives with the MEXICO 66 IM and FABRE IM series, crafted entirely in Italy and shaped by hands that understand patience.
Available globally from 16 September and landing in Singapore on 31 October at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, this collection reimagines two iconic silhouettes with premium Italian leather. Italian artisans take the familiar forms and elevate them with rich vintage finishing, giving each shoe a lived-in depth that looks and feels like wearable heritage. The MEXICO 66 IM now sits on a thicker cup sole that gives the old-school silhouette a modern weight and presence. The FABRE IM retains its classic lines while showing off leather that has been treated to look aged, textured and impossibly soft.
Onitsuka Tiger highlights that the full manufacturing takes place in Italy, allowing master shoemakers to control everything from cut to stitch to finish. Italian leather is prized globally for durability and natural lustre, and here it becomes the stage for a fusion of Japanese design discipline and Italian emotion. The result is footwear that looks museum-grade yet grounded in the casual, everyday culture that Onitsuka Tiger has shaped worldwide.
Singaporean sneaker enthusiasts can explore the full story and design evolution on the official website at https://www.onitsukatiger.com/sg/en-sg/brand/italian-made . For collectors who appreciate craftsmanship, this is one of the rare launches that offers both artistry and heritage without needing to shout.