Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka wears a lot of hats. On top of being a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, she has her own skincare brand, serves as an ambassador for Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer, and is a powerful voice in the world of sports. But her second love after tennis is fashion, which is why she collaborated with Levi’s to create an upcycled denim collection inspired by her own personal style—a mix of sporty and feminine—and heritage.
How do you describe your style?
I really like to dress in a way that tells a story. I love pieces that you wouldn’t necessarily see anywhere else. For me, style is a real form of expression, and my style kind of varies from day to day based on my mood and what story I want to tell.
When you’re not training, what keeps you busy? Honestly, either playing video games or messing around with design sketches and fashion ideas. I always have ideas in my head, so I like to sit down and sketch with my sister when I have time.
You’re a sports superstar. How do you find the time to work on these cool collaborations?
Fashion is actually my true passion outside of tennis. I really love and enjoy design collaborations, and I also feel like they’re a good opportunity for me to learn more about each brand and how the design and production process works. It’s a nice break from my usual tennis routine.
The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for you. What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt? Probably just to do what makes you happy.
You loved wearing a kimono when you were young. With the denim kimono you designed, do you feel that you’re taking a trip down memory lane?
Yeah, I kind of do actually! I always loved wearing kimonos when I was a kid, so to be able to do it in denim felt really different and a bit unexpected. And also being able to recycle the fabrics and make something that was once old new again— that’s what helped update a traditional piece to something more modern.
The denim kimono is a nod to your Japanese heritage. How did you come up with the idea for the other pieces? There’s a little something for everyone in this collection—some sporty, some feminine, some party and some tradition. I liked the idea of the bustier while I was sketching it, but I love it even more now that it’s been brought to life. It’s so cute! I’d wear it with the lace-up shorts because the lacing detail is super cute on both, so they kind of match up together.
My idea for the crystal fringe shorts actually came from an old runway photo I saw; I think it was from the early 2000s and it was a really cool bodysuit with crystal fringe. I was inspired by the flowy movement of the strands. I love that these shorts feel so fun and playful, and can be dressed up or down.
What’s special about this collaboration with Levi’s? First, it’s really a reflection of my own personal style— so, equal parts sporty and feminine. I also knew I wanted the collection to be sustainable, so we worked together to find existing old stock and repurpose the pieces into designs that feel new and fresh.