"I just want to keep on running." - Jun Takahashi
Running can mean many different things to different people, whether you run alone or as part of a group. Running has also been a form of self-expression for quite some time now. Brands are continually increasing their production of running clothes inspired by the fashion industry. Sports and style are no longer enemies – and this is exactly the attitude that Jun Takahashi took towards the design of the Nike Gyakusou range.
Nike x Jun Takahashi
For Jun Takahashi, running is a source of creativity. The Japanese fashion designer and founder of Undercover has been a passionate runner for years. He knows what a runner needs from his/her running clothes and shoes.
This intimate know-how combined with a keen eye for design and fashion have led to almost 10 years of collaboration work between Nike and Jun Takahashi. Using the name Nike Gyakusou, Takahashi has worked side by side with the brand and the NikeLab on a variety of collections that achieve an unprecedented balance between design and functionality.
"Gyakusou literally means "running in reverse", which I actually do in the park. It represents my own punk-inspired rebel spirit. I don’t always have a goal, like a race to train for, but running has become a steady part of my daily life, just like anyone else." - Jun Takahashi
For the 2019 running season, Nike has once again recruited the Undercover designer’s help in creating the new Nike Gyakusou collection. The new running clothes and shoes will be available in our shop from 28th February 2019, so we’d like to make some introductions in this post.
The Nike Gyakusou collection for spring 2019
The colour scheme of the Nike Gyakusou range has always been centred around the idea that the products should blend into both cityscapes and natural landscapes, which is why the collection features mainly neutral, earthy tones. Traditional Japanese colours and a few contrasting details are also seen throughout the product range.
"Since the very beginning, I've made the Gyakusou color palette to blend well with both the urban and natural landscape using neutral colors. I intentionally include earthy colors and the traditional colors of Japan. Only this season have I included contrasting colors in the palette." - Jun Takahashi
This colour concept has been applied to the new Nike Gyakusou collection too, whose predominant shades are burgundy, dark green, white, grey and black with yellow highlights to liven up the look. We already love these new colours, but the collection is about much more than just that.
Nike Gyakusou clothes
Jun Takahashi’s clothing designs are strongly influenced by the new technologies featuring in the Nike Running range. These include athletic cuts and good compressibility for an urban style. A good example of such properties is the Nike Gyakusou Transport jacket.
This running jacket comes with a front pocket from which you can pull out an additional windproof jacket should you need some extra protection in bad weather. If the weather calms down, you can just store the jacket back in the pocket and carry on with your run.
On the whole, the collection has been created to cater to runners’ needs - functionality comes first! And in no other garment is this more apparent than the Nike Gyakusou Lightweight jacket. Here, Nike has concentrated on breathability, providing laser perforations in all the right places.
The pants that form part of the Nike Gyakusou collection have impressed us just as much as the jackets. The men’s and women’s shorts are made of special knitted fabric that reduces the number of necessary seams. Apart from that, targeted compression provides support where runners need it most.
In a nutshell, the new Nike Gyakusou 2019 collection blends in seamlessly with the top running products on the market – literally!
Nike Gyakusou running shoes
The Gyakusou Pack also includes running shoes, of course. Among them are the current Nike bestsellers in brand new, unique colourways. At Keller Sports, you’ll soon be able to shop for the new Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4% Flyknit and the new Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo.
The Vaporfly 4% has been updated with an external heel counter, the Gyakusou print on the shaft and a multicoloured look to the Flyknit upper. The most striking change made to the Pegasus Turbo is the zip closure replacing traditional laces. The upper has also been reinforced.
If you want to read up on the performance of both running shoes, check out our reports on the Vaporfly 4% and the Pegasus Turbo. Now, not only are the shoes highly functional but also good-looking. What do you think of them?
You’ll find the new Nike Gyakusou Running collection in our store from 28th February:
