Summer is still months away, but Mizuno has brought an early taste of it with the Hiroshi Nagai Collaboration Pack. The iconic Japanese sports equipment brand has created three new footwear silhouettes for its latest set, with a twist.
Mizuno has combined its hundred-year-old knowledge and expertise in shoe-making with a splash of colour, as it has enlisted the help of famous graphic designer, Hiroshi Nagai, in creating these premium pieces.
Known for his cover designs of city pop albums in the 1980’s, Hiroshi Nagai has become a pop culture icon himself in the local and international art scene. The “city pop” art style is known for its use of bright, pastel, and neon colours, which often results in a “retro” or “anime-inspired” visual.
For more than a quarter of a century, Mizuno Running has relied on the “WAVE RIDER” series. The Wave Rider 27 sole, which combines Mizuno Wave and Mizuno Energy to improve cushioning, stability, repulsion, and running comfort, as well as the functional values required for running, has been repurposed to provide a soft ground feel and a new design from the previous series. This concept inspired the modern upper design, resulting in a pair of shoes suitable for a variety of lifestyle scenarios.
The WAVE RIDER β’s blue gradation is reminiscent of summer skies, sandy beaches, and white waves. The base employs canvas to convey the atmosphere of Hiroshi Nagai’s painting production. The side features a bold white RB logo, giving it a high-quality, sporty feel. The tongue and heel feature a unique design with his signature and the penguin logo.
Typically regarded as THE shoes for serious runners, the WAVE PROPHECY has been dubbed the brand’s flagship running model due to its innovative design, and has since become the go-to for any professional runner. Mizuno, on the other hand, has taken the popular footwear structure and tailored it to lifestyle needs, resulting in the WAVE PROPHECY LS. This work features a playful, multicoloured style that has rarely been seen before.
Hiroshi Nagai’s masterpieces often feature vibrant colour combinations that express his worldview. The shoes are made of high-quality natural suede and perforated synthetic leather, and they have a unique design with his signature and the penguin logo on the tongue and heel.
By combining it with the trail running shoe “WAVE MUJIN” sole, it creates a cross between vintage design and modern performance footwear. The technical shoes are made with wave technology and Michelin soles (Michelin, of course, are known for their Michelin tyres).
The strong shadows illuminated by the summer light are expressed through the use of luxurious black leather that combines high-quality natural suede with natural smoothness. A scene from his masterpiece “HALATION” inspires the stunning rose flower pattern, and a unique design is applied to the lining and outsole rubber, ultimately creating the WAVE MUJIN TL.
The Mizuno Hiroshi Nagai Pack collection, priced between ¥22,000 and ¥29,700 (RM690 to RM930), will be available for purchase online and in-store beginning on 22nd March at 11am Japan Standard Time.
