The extraordinary story of the clothing brand ‘SHAKA’ unfolds to acknowledge the significance of today’s environment. It embodies the brand’s vision by communicating stories under the theme Natural & Nostalgia, which highlight the intricate relationship between humans and nature, aiming to raise awareness about sustainable environmental issues.
In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Shaka unveils numerous compelling stories through clothing under the concept of the ‘Up In The Air’ collection. This collection draws inspiration from travels to Japan, a country known for its clean and refreshing air. The journey specifically ventured to the southern part of Kyushu in Miyazaki Prefecture, renowned for its consistent favorable winds throughout the year. Additionally, the area boasts natural perfection, attracting tourists who visit for surfing activities.
Among the numerous natural beauties found on Kyushu Island, another prominent symbol encountered is the swallow (Tsubame). These birds can be spotted all over the island, serving as symbols in various locations throughout the city—be it on trains, drain covers, wall coverings, temple walls, and more.
The Shaka Spring/Summer 2024 collection draws inspiration from merging the swallow pattern observed in Kyushu with the cloud patterns intricately carved on the wooden doors of a small seaside shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture. This fusion results in the creation of an Original Print named ‘Cloud and Swallow’ for this collection. The print is featured on Satin and Tulle mesh fabric, including a Kimono-style design that offers a hint of Japanese culture infused throughout.
In this collection, Shaka has embraced the colors and fashion styles from the 60s as a foundation for crafting Silhouettes. Drawing inspiration from artists of that era, such as André Courrèges, known for his unique utilization of Geometric patterns in designing a Tunic Dress in Shaka’s style. Similarly, Bridget Riley served as inspiration for the ‘Retro Cloud’ graphic pattern, symbolizing the fluid movement of air masses. It blends the fashion styles of the 60s with modern graphics, infusing a vibrant and playful charm into this collection.
Moreover, Shaka continues to uphold its signature pattern techniques, such as the S-Curve line, intricately woven into the storytelling behind the collection concept ‘Up In The Air.’ Gathering methods are employed to decorate certain garments evoke the appearance of clouds, as seen in the ‘Cloud Shirring’ set, while others, like the ‘Tsubame Applique’ set, which utilize organza fabric to craft swallows. Additionally, the ‘Tsubame Cutwork’ set presents a variety of stencil designs. These distinct techniques are exclusive to Shaka and have been specifically created for Shaka girls to select from within this collection.