The Japanese luggage and accessories label Porter, is one of those illuminated brand that uses collaborations to make its products always relevant and alluring to its followers.
In the last years, Porter has signed many collaboration with artists, fashion brands and consumer electronics companies to produce limited edition products, but this partnership, with the outstanding contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, has something else to say.
Instead of a mere bag, Murakami and his Kaikai Kiki studio, had been entrusted with task of creating a sneaker true to the style and values of Porter.
Murakami, who has already collaborated with many renowned brands, from Louis Vuitton to Virgil Abloh’s Off-White, this time hasn’t limited his work to a simple make over. He brought his forward-thinking eye to the sneaker world fusing the Japanese brand’s signature bags and sturdy holsters with a pair of chunky-soled sneakers.
Loaded with PORTER tags, straps, D-rings and 3D pouches, the asymmetrical sneakers are executed in PORTER’s trademark green, accented by the familiar orange often utilized to line the bags. Murakami’s bold and fresh signature flowers and “TM/KK” branding, this time, appear only on the outsole, midsole and tongue of the right sneaker, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the new silhouette.
Teased on an Istagram’s post, Murakami explained in a detailed caption the process behind the creation of the shoes, started with a deep immersion in the sneakers culture. The first result, as he stated that “there is a little bit more to go until completion”, is bold and unconventional. Murakami already collaborated with a streetwear culture giant, we are talking about Vans, but that time the capsule was composed by classic Vans’ pieces immersed in Murakami’s “superflat” art, made of vivid colours, smiling daisies and “manga” eyes. This time instead, with this original collaboration, Murakami has taken a step forward in the design word, creating an innovative product which infuses both his signature artistic elements and PORTER’s fabrics.
No release date for the sneakers has been announced, but they will probably make their debut shortly.