Reebok's thing is musical collabos, having launched collections with Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent. So it makes sense that its newest collaboration is with Maison Kitsuné, a lifestyle brand with strong music cred as well; the brand launched in 2002 as both a record label and a fashion house. Both brands have a long history of collaborating with the coolest kids on the block outside of music, too. (Recent examples: Reebok x accessories designer Melody Ehsani, the upcoming Maison Kitsuné x Shu Uemura holiday makeup launch.) That the two brands would eventually end up working together seemed like a foregone conclusion — they launched two limited-edition sneakers together earlier this year that sold out in minutes. But that the Reebok x Maison Kitsuné capsule collection is both baseball themed and gender-neutral is what makes it particularly interesting.
The baseball connection was easily explained at the launch event in Tokyo, where the sport is perhaps even more popular than it is in the U.S. But it also had a personal association for Maison Kitsuné cofounder Masaya Kuroki: "When I was a kid, I used to play baseball, but I was not good enough to be on a real team — I was on the bench watching my friends play," he laughs. "So now this time I can be a main player. We can all play together and nobody can put us on the bench."
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The eight-piece collection, which launches on the September 12, is a riff on the classic, preppy sportswear Maison Kistuné is known for, but made with materials typically found in Reebok's athletic wear. Yet sporty as it is, it would be totally understandable that you may in fact not want to wear them to play ball. (Especially the chic cream and white Classic Nylon sneakers. You're gonna want to keep those as pristine as possible.) And the entire collection is androgynous — not one item reads especially masculine or feminine, which Kuroki says was purposeful.
While it's often the case that androgynous clothing can be crazy utilitarian, mashing together the practical and mundane (think: lab coats, hospital gowns, hazmat suits), this androgynous clothing is a total delight: Behold Kitsuné's signature fox smiling at you in multitudes all over a cute boxy tee; the orange varsity jacket, its neon shade inspired by sunny skies; the coziest oatmeal sweatshirt adorned with a subtle, flocked baseball patch. Nary a boring, sad detail in sight. In sum, this collection is for everyone: girl, boy, boi, transfemme, gender-nonconforming. Literally everyone.
"Why only do men play baseball? I have a lot of girlfriends who want to see baseball and support a lot of teams. Reebok has a very open mind...and so does Kitsuné. So when I was designing [the collection] I was already thinking about the unisex thing," Kuroki told us. "That should be the next step of sporting in general: men and women playing together."