TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. - A Lesson in Avant-Garde Anti-Fashion
courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
Founded by Takahiro Miyashita in 2010, TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. is known for its avant-garde and often experimental approach to design. Before starting The Soloist, Miyashita gained recognition as the founder and designer of the cult-favorite brand Number (N)ine, which he established in 1997 and left in 2009.
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. is known for its moody aesthetic, often characterized by oversized deconstructed silhouettes leaning towards an anti-fashion approach. Experiment and forward-thinking will always be present in Miyashita’s collections, though expressed in a variety of extremes. From a collection inspired by Billy Preston (FW22), to bringing a tribute to British fashion through his SS25 collection, The Soloist’s sources know little limits. Drawing inspiration from music, arts, and subculture, particularly rock and punk, the brand operates with a highly personal vision, reflecting Miyashita’s individualistic and introspective view on fashion.
courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. & New Era
The Great Britain-Inspired SS24 Collection
Miyashita’s travels have always been a profound source of inspiration, with the diverse places and cultures he experiences deeply shaping his creative vision. One of his latest collections, Spring/Summer 2024, is a testament to this, capturing the spirit of Great Britain.
Titled “Lonely Souls,” the collection is a reflection of Miyashita’s deep admiration for British culture, with a prominent homage (or mockery) to the monarchy. Each ensemble is crowned—quite literally—with headpieces shaped like crowns. Moreover, the collection’s jackets and pants prominently feature the Union Jack, rendered in both bold colors and classic black and white.
courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
Beyond Fashion
Flatiron hi-fi Speaker
New York, a city that resonates with Miyashita’s dynamic aesthetic and continues to influence his designs, holds a special place in the designer’s heart. His admiration for the city is evident, and he takes it a step further by venturing into the world of sound and hi-fi.
Encased within a cement-like polycarbonate composite resin shaped like the iconic Flatiron Building hides a seven-channel high-end speaker. The design serves as a tribute to one of New York’s architectural marvels, blending form and function in a homage to the city’s rich history.
Flatiron hi-fi Speaker│courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
THE SOUVENIR SHOP New York
Takahiro Miyashita channeled his love for travel into a unique pop-up store in New York, designed to capture the spirit of discovery and exploration. Aptly named THE SOUVENIR SHOP by TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist., the store reflects Miyashita’s fascination with the souvenir shops he encountered on his journeys, offering a curated selection of items that embody the essence of his travel experiences.
THE SOUVENIR SHOP│courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
The Rolling Stones Sofa
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. joined forces with The Rolling Stones’ lifestyle brand, RS No.9, to reimagine the iconic 1970 Arflex Sofa, originally designed by renowned Italian designer Mario Marenco. This collaboration breathes new life into Marenco’s signature piece, blending classic Italian design with the bold, rebellious spirit of The Rolling Stones. The result is a striking transformation: the sofa’s sleek black upholstery is now adorned with a vivid red motif, creating a visually arresting piece that fuses high design with rock ‘n’ roll flair.
RS No.09 Sofa design│courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
A Masterclass in Footwear Collaboration
Besides making anti-fashion statements through his own collections, Takahiro Miyashita is a master in the art of collaboration. Throughout the years, The Soloist has built a track record of iconic collaboration with brands like Converse, Suicoke, each collab bending the rules and aesthetics of the brand he works with.
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. x Suicoke
The partnership between Japan’s number one sandal and overall footwear brand Suicoke and TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. ranges over a number of combined designs throughout the years.
In 2021 TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. and Suicoke released a hybrid redesign of the Vibram FiveFingers shoe.
A year later, in 2022, The Soloist and Suicoke joined forces again for the release of a merge between the classic Chelsea boot and Vibram FiveFingers barefoot design.
In 2023 TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. released two designs in collaboration with Suicoke. The first one being a water shoe-inspired slip-on incorporating reflective elements. The other a neutral black Vibram FiveFingers shoe, also based on water shoes but without the slip-on take.
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. x Converse
Converse and TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. crossed paths way back, but their collaborations stand strong till this day. The designs range from minimalistic reiterations of classic converse models, all the way to adding colorful motifs and untypical elements like zippers, pushing converse’s sober approach to an experimental surge.
On two separate collections, Miyashita takes the Converse CX Disrupt and ERX 260 High, keeping them all-white, and tagging both shoes with the tagline “I AM THE SOLOIST”. The XC Disrupts are finished with a second full sentence along the sideways: “HELLO! I AM THE SOLOIST. SINCE 2010”
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. x Oofos
Recovery footwear brand Oofos and TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. have two collaborations under their belt. The latest release features three models: Slides, clogs, and flip flops. Each silhouette is imprinted with The Soloist’s heavy tagline “I AM THE SOLOIST.”
courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. x Clearweather
In 2019, TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. met up with Clearweather for a one-off collaboration. Taking the brand’s existing silhouettes called Donny and Dodds, Miyashita gave them a grunge make-over. Through embroidery, pictures of Kurt Cobain and a motif by a child that had become an inspiration for Miyashita decorate the suede overlays.
courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
The Number (N)ine Collaborations
In a subtle nod to his roots at Number (N)ine, TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. released two collaborations, each highlighting partnerships with nine different brands.
The first release showcased nine black t-shirts, co-designed with a standout group of close designer friends, primarily from Japan. Collaborators included HYSTERIC GLAMOUR, UNDERCOVER, Mountain Research, among others.
The second release was a broader collaboration with New Era, but true to form, it also featured nine unique designs, each created in partnership with another brand, once again emphasizing the Japanese connections.
courtesy of TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. stands as a remarkable embodiment of avant-garde and anti-fashion, constantly pushing the boundaries of design with its fearless experimentation and personal vision. Takahiro Miyashita’s work is a masterclass in blending diverse influences—from the rebellious spirit of rock and punk to the rich histories of the places he’s traveled—into collections that defy conventional fashion norms.
Whether through his bold collaborations with iconic brands like Converse and Suicoke, his tributes to cultural landmarks, or his deeply personal reflections on themes like national identity, Miyashita continues to carve out a unique space in the fashion world.
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist. is a reflection of Miyashita’s introspective journey, offering a lesson in how fashion can be both deeply personal and universally resonant, all while challenging the very idea of what fashion can be.
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