When Kaito Takahashi, the yellow member of the iconic group King & Prince, first set foot in ETRO’s historic headquarters in Milan, he did so not only as a Japanese entertainment star, but as a multidisciplinary artist in search of a new form of expression. Kaito — a dancer, choreographer, actor and designer — has found in the Italian luxury house a canvas where his identity merges with the brand’s legendary signature Paisley pattern. Over the past two years, what began as an invitation to a fashion show has evolved into one of the deepest and most organic partnerships between a European luxury brand and a Japanese talent, culminating in his appointment as the first Japanese Global Ambassador in ETRO’s history.
In the complex ecosystem of luxury fashion, the relationship between a historic fashion house and its ambassador is usually a transaction involving image and prestige. However, what the world has witnessed between the Italian brand and and its global ambassador goes beyond commercial contracts to become an unprecedented artistic symbiosis. From his first forays into the archives in Milan to his recent, magnetic presence on the catwalk in February 2026, Kaito has not merely dressed the brand: he has reinterpreted it, painted it and taken it to settings where European tradition and Japanese avant-garde merge into a single language.
ETRO’s SS25 fashion show (2024)
The story began in 2024. Kaito, already established as the “artistic heart” and leading choreographic force behind King & Prince, was looking for a platform that would allow him to express his side as a visual artist. At the same time, ETRO, under the creative direction of Marco De Vincenzo, was seeking a voice that could communicate its new aesthetic: a blend of controlled psychedelia, radical craftsmanship and bohemian freedom. In September 2024, Kaito made his first official trip to the brand’s headquarters in Milan. It was no mere courtesy visit.
Records show him immersed in the textile library on Via Spartaco, studying the evolution of the Paisley pattern. It was on this trip that his friendship with De Vincenzo was forged, based on a mutual admiration for colour as an emotional vehicle. On that same trip to the fashion capital, Kaito – who had been personally invited by the Italian fashion house to attend ETRO‘s SS25 fashion show held on 18 September 2024 – turned heads in the front row, cementing his status as a style icon whose influence extends far beyond Japan’s borders.
Holiday Collection campaign (2024)
The first campaign in which Kaito officially collaborated with ETRO was the “2024 Holiday Collection campaign“, a project that cemented the relationship between the artist and the brand. Kaito embodies this season’s festive elegance with a style that blends tradition and modernity, a sophisticated black velvet suit stands out, perfect for the evening celebrations typical of this time of year; beneath the velvet, he wears a silk shirt featuring a botanical paisley print in vibrant hues. This design is not only ETRO’s historic signature, but in this collection it is reimagined with vivid colours that break with the sobriety of winter.
The collection is complemented by the iconic Arnica bags and detailed accessories, such as charms adorned with rhinestones and earrings, which add a playful and contemporary touch. The “Holiday 2024 campaign” collaboration was more than just a series of photographs; it was a celebration of colour and creativity in a setting that evokes the warmth of moments shared after a grand gala, reaffirming ETRO as a benchmark of bold sophistication to round off the year.
That initial spark would culminate, a few months later, in a historic appointment: Kaito became the first Japanese Global Ambassador in the brand’s history.
Kaito: ETRO Global Ambassador (2025)
Kaito returned to Milan to take part in Milan Fashion Week in February 2025, just a few months after establishing his partnership with ETRO, specifically for the presentation of the Autumn/Winter 2025–26 collection; this served as the prelude to his major appointment as the brand’s international face.
Kaito’s appointment as ETRO’s global ambassador on 3 April 2025 was not merely a corporate announcement, but an event steeped in symbolism that marked a turning point in his career. By choosing the very day of his 26th birthday to formalise this partnership, the Italian fashion house transformed a commercial alliance into a personal tribute to the artist. This date underscored the deep emotional and creative connection that had been developing for months, presenting the title of “Global Brand Ambassador” as the ultimate gift to his career and aesthetic maturity; in Kaito’s own words, “It was the best gift I had ever received“.
Seeing Kaito establish himself as the first Japanese face with global reach for a luxury brand of this calibre, just as he began a new year of his life, reinforced his image as a generational icon. The announcement was accompanied by a carefully curated aesthetic that celebrated his own artistic sensibility—he has always expressed a passion for drawing and design—as well as that of the brand specifically, having worn it at one of his events as an actor. This milestone marked the culmination of a transition: from being a talented local idol to becoming an international style icon. It was, in essence, confirmation that his charisma and his vision of art possess a universal language that transcends borders.
#ETROperKaitoTakahashi (2025)
In the summer of 2025, the collaboration between the brand and the artist came to fruition in the “#ETROperKaitoTakahashi” capsule collection that fused the ETRO’s bohemian DNA with Kaito’s personal artistic sensibility. The collection stood out for its reinterpretation of the iconic paisley print through the artist’s eyes, ranging from silk shirts to mini-tote bags, key chains and bucket hats; but without a doubt, the star items were the scarves in various colours, featuring the “hands” design created by Kaito himself. The fact that it became the collection’s emblem was no accident: Kaito sought to symbolise the human connection and the craftsmanship (fatto a mano) that defines ETRO, intertwining his own lines with the organic shapes of traditional Paisley. striking a perfect balance between tradition, quality and creativity.
The release in Japan was on a massive scale, the response was immediate, with stocks of the limited-edition charms and scarves selling out within the first few hours of opening. Centred on the opening of exclusive pop-up stores in strategic locations such as Isetan Shinjuku and PARCO Shibuya in Tokyo; these temporary spaces served not only as retail outlets but also as art galleries where fans could experience his favourite idol and artist’s vision. The expansion strategy did not stop at Japan; the collection made the leap to the market in selected boutiques in fashion capitals such as Milan, Paris and New York. At the boutique on Via Montenapoleone in Milan, the collection was presented as the perfect bridge between Italian heritage and the new wave of Japanese creativity, demonstrating that the “Kaito style” speaks a universal language.
Etro Home space in Ginza (2025)
Meanwhile, the first ETRO home boutique opened in Ginza, where Kaito attended in his capacity as ambassador for the Italian brand. This space, the first in Japan dedicated entirely to the homeware range, was graced by the artist’s presence, who embodied the fusion of European luxury and modern Japanese aesthetics.
During the event, Kaito explored the exclusive collections of furniture, textiles and decorative objects, reinterpreted for contemporary domestic settings.
His visit not only served to raise the profile of the opening but also to reinforce the brand’s identity in Japan’s most prestigious luxury district. This collaboration in Ginza highlighted how the charisma of the King & Prince member manages to bridge the worlds of fashion and interior design, under the #EtroHomeInteriors hashtag drawing a young audience to ETRO’s artisanal heritage.
The Ginza store has thus established itself as a must-visit destination for design enthusiasts seeking the exclusivity that Kaito embodies.
Fall/Winter 2025 Collection; A Journey to Venice with Kaito (2025)
One of the most cinematic moments in this partnership took place last year during the promotional campaign in Venice. ETRO chose the city of canals to present its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, which celebrated fluidity and mystery, and Kaito was the undisputed star.
At the end of the year, whilst attending the ETROSS26 fashion show, Kaito opted to use the streets and historic architecture of Venice as his backdrop rather than a closed studio. The photos capture that “natural curiosity” that characterises him when he travels. By posing outdoors after attending the brand’s fashion show, he ensured that the clothes from the new collection blended seamlessly with the sophisticated atmosphere of the Italian city.
Kaito was not only in the front row of the womens’ show alongside international figures; he used that same trip to carry out the campaign photo shoot. This strategy gave the images a unique authenticity: it is not just a model posing, but the ambassador himself exploring the unrivalled beauty of a millennia-old city.
HIGHSNOBIETY (2025)
Beyond official campaigns, Kaito’s versatility as a model has been showcased in numerous editorial shoots that have pushed the boundaries of genre and style. Of these, the most recent and talked-about has been his appearance in the prestigious magazine HIGHSNOBIETY.
In this shoot, the photographs, captured with an elegant and classic aesthetic, Kaito could be seen pairing architecturally cut wool coats (straight from the Milan catwalk) with his own scarves from the capsule collection, creating a visual bridge between haute couture and designer accessories. Fashion critics praised his ability to move seamlessly between the aristocratic elegance of the campaign and the spirit of luxury streetwear that defines today’s youth. This collaboration with HIGHSNOBIETY cemented his position as a “total style icon”, capable of influencing both traditional art circles and the most avant-garde consumers of urban fashion, also the use of elements from the collection to challenge gender boundaries in men’s fashion. His ease in posing in softer silhouettes and with delicate accessories resonated with HIGHSNOBIETY’s philosophy, which celebrates fashion as a form of expression free from labels.
The Triumph in Milan: February 2026
This journey of growth and experimentation continued to unfold on 25 February 2026 at Milan Fashion Week. Kaito’s return to the Italian catwalk was met with unprecedented anticipation.
Wearing an outfit from the new Autumn/Winter 2026–27 collection that blended jacquard wool textures with silk details and a printed silk scarve as a decorative headpiece, Kaito sat in the front row as the brand’s most veteran and respected ambassador. His presence there was not that of a guest, but of a creative partner. The images captured during the event show a Kaito who has mastered the language of haute couture: confident, sophisticated and with a maturity that reflects his years of working alongside Marco De Vincenzo. Analysis of this latest runway show suggests that Kaito’s influence at ETRO has even permeated the collection’s colour palette, where sunny tones and vibrant contrasts — characteristic of his pictorial work — have taken on an unusual prominence.
Kaito Takahashi’s journey with ETRO is the story of an artist who refused to be pigeonholed. From the stages of Tokyo to the canals of Venice, and from the pages of HIGHSNOBIETY to the catwalks of Milan, he has shown that his talent is as fluid and timeless as the Paisley motif itself.
Following this evolution has meant witnessing the creation of a new kind of global star. Kaito is not just the international face of ETRO; he is its contemporary soul. With every new shoot, every design and every appearance in Milan, he continues to remind us that fashion, when created with passion and artistry, is the most beautiful bridge between two cultures, because wherever colour, art and movement take Kaito, Dumpling Box will be there to tell the story. The future is bright, it is bold and, without a doubt, bears the unmistakable hallmark of this legendary partnership!
ETRO’s SS25 fashion show (September, 2024)
#EtroMagma FW25 show (February, 2025)
#EtroFlux fashion show EtroSS26 (September, 2025)
#EtroLoopForward fashion show (February, 2026)
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