New Balance Japan's 9 Box collection is made possible with the collaborative efforts of three talented artists lending their talents to the sportswear brand. The artists reimagine the classic 1300 silhouette in the form of a visual graphic to adorn a series of tees.
The artists include Hiroshi Watani, who is prominent in fashion magazines, Ayumu Ueda, who is also an active effort in fashion illustration, and Shuntaro Takeuchi who works for shop windows mostly. There are 9 tees in total and every design reinterprets the 1300 in a unique manner. The leading designs are by Hiroshi Watani's graphics with the prominently thin outlines and playful caricatures that are reminiscent of old American visuals.
Artist-Informed Graphic Tees
New Balance Japan Taps Three Artist for the 9 Box Collection
Trend Themes
1. Artist-informed Designs - Artists are collaborating with brands to create unique designs for apparel and accessories.
2. Personalized Graphic Tees - Sportswear brands are offering customized and limited edition graphic tees to appeal to their customers.
3. Fashion and Art Fusion - The intersection of fashion and art is expanding with increasingly creative collaborations.
Industry Implications
1. Apparel - Sportswear and fashion brands are incorporating artist collaborations into their apparel offerings.
2. Art and Design - Artists and designers are finding new opportunities for collaboration in the fashion industry.
3. Retail and Ecommerce - Retailers are leveraging artist collaborations to create differentiated and exclusive offerings for their ecommerce platforms.