A fresh face in the sneaker world, LOSERS is a Tokyo-based streetwear label that pride themselves in curating designs that reflect the Japanese culture. This three-year-old brand has been making serious waves at fashion exhibitions with their clean and subdued designs and prominent use of colour blocking.
They incorporate the concept of iki – an aesthetic unique to Japan – into all their sneaker styles. This new entrant is a breath of fresh air as they strive to become a timeless footwear brand, boldly deviating from some of the hottest sneaker trends right now.
LOSERS has a core line of sneakers that forms the crux of their collection, with Schooler and Uneaker being their signature silhouettes.
The Uneaker is a simple low top, skate-inspired sneaker with a canvas upper and a vulcanized sole. Instead of settling for a conventional brand logo on the side of the shoe, LOSERS’ trademark is actually a subtle v-shaped design on the toe – a symbol of the toe strap on traditional Japanese footwear.
They recently launched a Uneaker trio dubbed “Blood, Skate & Tears”, paying homage to Johnny Cash’s classic 1963 album. These fresh kicks sport a tonal canvas upper with matching laces and “BLOOD, SKATE & TEARS” printed across the toe-guard.
If you’re on the hunt for a statement pair, then the Spring/Summer 2016 iteration of the staple Schooler silhouette is right up your alley. Head designer Sneakerwolf had incorporated florals and vibrant summer hues into the INSIDE/OUT collection, with crazy designs hidden inside stars, polka dots and checkered prints. This is patterning, inception level.
The “Born and Raised In Japan” capsule collection for Fall/Winter 2016 not only features Schooler sneakers adorned with Japan-inspired visuals from Sneakerwolf, but also hand-embroidered souvenir jackets, hoodies and sweater – all exclusively made in Japan.
A lot of thought is put into the manufacturing of these kicks – the WEEZY tongue pull system is an original mechanism that allows their shoes to be easily put on and taken off. Major props to them for the ingenious use of hidden elastic band stretches to ease the wearing process.
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If you’re feeling these kicks, get them over at Alley. With their clean designs and impressive seasonal collections, the team behind this emerging sneaker brand are anything but losers.
