Milan Fashion Week saw an unexpected pairing that works this season: Onitsuka Tiger x Versace. The Japanese sportswear brand joined forces with the Italian fashion house to debut a special collaboration during Versace’s Spring/Summer 2026 presentation. It also marked the first collection under Versace’s new Chief Creative Officer, Dario Vitale, making the reveal one of the week’s most anticipated highlights.

At the center of the collaboration is Onitsuka Tiger’s iconic TAI-CHI sneaker. Produced in the brand’s factory in Sanin Tottori, Japan, the model highlights both brands’ expertise in craftsmanship. The sneaker uses Italian-sourced materials and features unique design details: double stitching on the signature stripes and a studded Medusa symbol on the tongue. The upper goes through a buffing process that gives it a textured look. Alongside the sneaker, loafers crafted in Italy also made an appearance, further emphasizing the blend of Japanese and Italian designs.

For his debut season, Vitale drew heavily from the 1980s. The collection included graphic prints, leather separates, bralette tops, cutout dresses, sharp tailoring, and vivid colors. The collaboration sneakers and loafers were styled within this framework, showing how easily the TAI-CHI can move beyond its athletic roots. Worn with structured suits, leather layers, or playful cutouts, the shoes offered a practical guide for how fans might style them off the runway.

Onitsuka Tiger S/S 2026

For Onitsuka Tiger, the collaboration capped off a strong season. The brand also presented its Spring/Summer 2026 “Urban Fantasy” collection in Milan, showcasing crinkled shirts, asymmetrical dresses, biker jackets, floral-print sweatshirts, and tailored menswear with vintage-inspired shorts. Footwear expanded to ballet-style sneakers, fringed boots, and suede sandals, while standout accessories included the Tiger Tote, KARATE Bag, and new eyewear. The show also featured a collaboration with Japanese jeweler Mikimoto, highlighting golden pearls in striking modern designs.

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With this double showing, Onitsuka Tiger demonstrated its versatility. On one hand, it presented a wide-reaching vision for its own seasonal collection. On the other, it secured a seat on one of fashion’s most followed runways with Versace.

The items will be released in spring 2026 and will be available at select Versace flagship stores worldwide, as well as online.