Onitsuka Tiger, Japan's first sports shoe brand, has been revived after almost 30 years and is enjoying immense popularity in Europe and elsewhere.
The shoes' appeal lies in their trademark thin soles and vivid colors, which make them stand out even amid the current general boom in retro-style footwear.
The craze for the shoes has been rekindled in Japan but is yet to enflame the rest of the world.
Onitsuka Tiger is the name of a brand of shoes that Onitsuka Co. Ltd., the predecessor of Asics Corporation, manufactured from 1949 to 1977. In 1956 the company was chosen as the official supplier of Japanese athletes' shoes for the Melbourne Olympics in Australia, and famous athletes from around the world were so impressed by the quality of the shoes that they began to order pairs for themselves.
Mexico 66 is one of the bestselling designs. Originally made in advance of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, it is now one of the flagship designs in the entire Onitsuka Tiger line.However, Onitsuka Tiger recently got a boost when leading actress Uma Thurman wore a pair in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.
For more information check out www.onitsukatiger.comVERDICT: Must have! A social statement and worthwhile investment for any wardrobe.
