There are collaborations in the fashion industry that execute a pre-written script with clinical perfection, and then there are those rare, beautiful anomalies where the physical seams dissolve to make way for a genuine artistic awakening. The ongoing relationship between the historic Italian luxury house ETRO and Kaito Takahashi ย โthe multi-talented, charismatic member of the duo King & Princeโ belongs firmly to this second category. On July 8, ETRO announced the second “ETRO per Kaito Takahashi” collection, now fully established as a global brand for the Milanese maison. The famous Japanese artist once again joins creative forces with ETRO‘s visionary creative director, to bring to life the highly anticipated second chapter of their collaborative collection. While their joint debut effort offered fascinating glimpses of a shared aesthetic wavelength, his new 2026 drop doubles down on emotional weight, complex symbolism, and textile sophistication, promising to capture the hearts of music lovers and high-fashion purists alike.
To truly appreciate the grand scale of this new collection, one must step away from the traditional, rigid idea of a brand ambassador who simply lends a photogenic face to a seasonal marketing campaign. From the very inception of his journey with ETRO, Kaito made it abundantly clear that his approach to fashion design is that of a hands-on, multi-disciplinary figure. Harnessing an innate artistic sensitivity that he has previously channeled into fine painting and manga illustration, Kaito dove headfirst intro ETRO‘s sacred historical archives. The core of this creative alliance lies in the idol’s unique ability to reinvent the brand’s most treasured visual signature: the paisley motif, an intricate pattern that has defined ETRO‘s heritage for decades. Instead of merely selecting color combinations from a pre-arranged palette, Kaito picked his own brushes and hand-drew two completely original variations of the pattern, transforming premium fabric into a personal canvas to illustrate his own life chapters, inner growth, and emotional growth.
The mesmerizing fruit of this intense design process is realized through two distinct visual themes carrying an overwhelming sense of poetry: the “Wave Paisley” and the “Tears Paisley.” The former functions as a rushing torrent of pure energy, deeply inspired by the unyielding strength of ocean currents and the human necessity to flow gracefully through the unexpected storms of destiny. Its winding, fluid shapes possess an organic vitality that feels alive on the fabric. In stark contrast, the latter offers an intimate, melancholic, and deeply introspective counterpoint. Born from a quiet space of personal reflections, it represents the tears that every human sheds throughout their lifeโbe they of sorrow, profound learning, or overwhelming joyโreimagined as the essential catalyst for personal maturity and self-actualization; Drawing creative inspiration from the traditional Japanese art style of Ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), Kaito developed a distinctive pattern that infused the brand’s historic heritage with a bold, contemporary Eastern aesthetic. Captivated by the emotional depth of these raw drawings, the creative director worked side-by-side with Kaito to refine the scale, adjust the proportions, and beautifully weave these customs prints into ETRO‘s signature bohemian, sophisticated tailoring.
The artistic symbiosis gives birth to an extensive, beautifully curated wardrobe consisting of 32 exclusive items. The collection deftly avoids static conventions, carving out a unique space where everyday functionality pays homage to the highest standards of luxury. The diverse selection ranges from fluid ready-to-wear garments with relaxed silhouettesโmirroring Kaito‘s own effortless, urban, and laid-back personal styleโto high-end leather goods and exquisite textile accessories designed to elevate any ensemble. Think tailored jackets that seamlessly marry traditional Italian weaving with modern structure, shirts with breathtaking drape that come alive with movement, and lifestyle items that double as authentic collector’s pieces. Every single stitched line and textile choice has been carefully overseen to ensure that the genuine essence of Kaito‘s private wardrobe remains completely uncompromised, offering his global following and unprecedented opportunity to literally wear a piece of his rich inner world.
Unsurprisingly, the announcement of this upcoming drop has triggered an international wave of excitement, and the release strategy has been meticulously planned to turn the shopping launch into an unforgettable cultural event. The rollout of the collection is scheduled to begin on August 5, 2026, through a highly exclusive, experiential format: the simultaneous grand opening of two dedicated pop-up retails spaces located inside Japan’s most historic and prestigious luxury shopping destinations: Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo and Hankyu Umeda in Osaka. Rather than standard retail counters, these pop-ups will function as conceptual art installations curated to completely immerse visitors into the shared universe of the collaboration. Following this exclusive window for early buyers, the capsule will transition on August 19 to the gran display window of ETRO‘s iconic flagship store in the heart of the luxury Ginza district. Finally, throughout September, the collection will officially deploy across all domestic ETRO boutiques alongside a simultaneous global release on the brand’s official international e-commerce platform.
Comment from Kaito Takahashi
“I am honored to be able to create a second capsule collection, following last year’s.”
<Wave Paisley>
“When I started thinking about the second collection, Etro gave me the word ‘upcycling.’ When I expanded my imagination from that word, the mood of Ukiyo-e, a uniquely Japanese art form that is famous worldwide, came to mind, and I arrived at the motif of “waves.” Waves swirl, undulate, push and recede, and are beautiful even as a single wave, and change shape infinitely when they are connected. I think they have an image of change, universality, and flux.”
“Inspired by Etro‘s values of ‘travel, freedom, and creativity,’ as well as the atmosphere of Venice that I felt during my stay there last September, I drew my own waves.”
<Tears in Paisley>
“The Tears in Paisley design is inspired by my own signature illustrations. I believe that tears are the first action humans take after birth, and they are an action that gives shape to our emotionsโwhen we are happy, sad, laughing a lot, or moved. With that in mind, I have made teary eyes an important motif for me.”
“This design embodies the idea that ‘everything begins with the stirring of emotions.’ I would be incredibly happy if many people could enjoy and pick up this collection.”
The massive buzz surrounding this monumental event is well-deserved, and the campaing organizers have masterfully paced the flow of information to keep the global community eager for more. This July, on the 15th and the 16th, major visual secrets were unveiled, including the world premiere of the official fashion campaign imagery and behing-the-secenes video documentaries showcasing the intricate design process. Through this ambitious creative venture, Kaito not only solidifies his standing as an undeniable global style icon, but also proves a deeper point: that contemporary fashion, when stripped of automated commercialistm and infused with the raw honesty of its creators, retains its profound power to move people, surprise the senses, and tell beautiful stories that effoirtlessly cross international borders and languages.
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