Having previously worked at both Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe, Chitose Abe founded her own high end fashion label, Sacai, in 1999. The brand is based in Tokyo and originally produced womenswear exclusively, though later expanded into menswear with the first collection launching in 2009.
Sacai is known for its innovative and experimental designs which often fuse textures and materials together for unexpected outcomes. Contrasting fabrics are combined, resulting in hybrid clothing which feels contemporary and interesting while remaining wearable. This may be seen in bandana material meeting cotton to create shirts, skirts and jumpers, or maybe nylon and denim patchworked to create jackets and trousers. The label takes classic pieces and reinevents them with some added intrigue, meaning that Sacai designs are cool additions to any wardrobe. Sacai is also known for blurring the line between casual and formal wear, creating a middle ground where pieces are able to be dressed up or down, and act as versatile pieces for the everyday. With such unique interpretations of modern daily dressing and an effortless infusion of street style, Sacai offers everything from simple logoed sweatshirts to patchwork jeans, pleated skirts and utilitarian separates.
In recent years, Sacai has collaborated with Nike, merging classic Nike silhouettes with the experimental flair signature to Sacai. Beginning in 2015, the collaboration has seen deconstructed styles at the forefront, met with overlapping iconic swooshes and unique colourways. A 2019 release offered the Sacai x Nike LDWaffle and Blazer, both of which sold out instantly and have become highly covetable shoes for sneaker fans who eagerly await new drops.
With flagship stores in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing and Seoul, Sacai is also available online through the label’s own website, as well as through Selfridges, Net-a-Porter and Farfetch.