CASABLANCA
 

Modernity and classicism, urbanity and nature, counter-cultural versus establishment. The inherent, exuberant dualities and contradictions of Japan are the inspiration for the Fall/Winter 2025 Casablanca Womens and Mens collection by Charaf Tajer. That is based in lived experience, across two decades of visiting the country again and again, carefully observing its cultures, rituals and traditions, old and new. This collection - the second Casablanca collection directly inspired by this locale - explores cultural fusions and cultural exchanges, both an examination of Japan itself, and Japan’s own outward gaze.

Casablanca’s view of Japan is resolutely contemporary, an homage to the ceaseless creativity of youth counter- cultures that shape Japan’s modern landscape. The customized super bikes and embroidery of Bōsōzoku contrast with Hawajuku Kawaii, in turn juxtaposed with the uniforms of Japanese corporate culture, and the flamboyance and celebration of rave attire. Alongside, there are riffs and references on the hyper-modern cityscapes of Japanese Metropoli, as well as echoes of the lush panoramas of its countryside and mountains. A country of contrast inspires a collection of opposites, in harmony.

The notion of ‘Kaizen’ - a philosophy of constant improvement, of betterment - offers both a title and an approach, a process of refinement. Subcultural and industrial workwear uniforms shape styles, each twisted into the other, embellished and elevated to a new fashion context. The collection is rooted in tailoring, for women and men, its layers and relaxed silhouettes a respectful nod to traditional Japanese costume.

Rave neon appears in intricate Casablanca Icon jacquard nylons and textured merino-cotton knits, while Bōsōzoku embroideries re reinterpreted as streamlined leather jackets with debossed detailing. The intricate calligraphy and iconography of their jumpsuits translated to prints across silk and wool and embroideries on techno-knits, fused with tattoo references and glimpsed film posters on Tokyo streets, while the airbrushed artwork and chromes of their motorcycle chassis - with licking flames and orchid blossoms - inspire prints. An undercurrent of Americana is emblematic of Japan looking out, part of a cultural cross-pollination of influences, a true global exchange.
 

Kawaii style influences a femme palette of sweet, candy pastels, bow details and floral motifs. Cutesie plushie mascots - a signature Casablanca tennis ball, a sweet orange, a symbol of prosperity and abundance fitting for a new season - dangle from handbags and feature in prints. Blooming sakura - cherry blossom, the national flower of Japan - feature on evening ensembles and dresses in wool-satin, punctuating brushed alpaca knitwear, in jewellery in both plastic and precious enamel, and translated into leather and fabric across suits and biker jackets. They feature centrally in plasticized embroideries, like a fusion of tech and nature. Over-abundant in our everyday life, here plastic can become something precious and meaningful. Rather than disposable, it becomes a new luxury, hand-crafted, hand-dyed and intricately worked, to last forever.

The mountain ranges of Japan inspire a capsule of skiwear, in iced knits, snowdrift monograms and padded nylon, and collaborative skis created with Swiss freeski brand Faction. Signature Casablanca printed silk shirts feature artwork inspired by the vistas of the Japanese alps, and the new Casablanca ‘Montagne’ sneaker, its sole shaped to mirror the silhouette of Mount Fuji.

Meanwhile, acknowledging Casablanca as a tourist, the key colour palette of mint green and black - expressed in Casablanca gradient prints, and across clothes and accessories - comes from the corridors of Tokyo’s Park Hyatt hotel. XXL travel-size duffels and micro iterations of Casablanca’s Jeanne bag both symbolize dynamic movement, the great escape. The Jeanne evolves, its flap closure now a delicate wave, a motif carried through across accessories and shoes - in ditch details, and the sole of platform mules and heels with an emphatic new volume, a bold silhouette.

This collection is a loving homage to and appreciation of all facets of Japan - its youth, its culture, its identity, its life.

CREDITS

Thank you to our Casablanca© team for making this show possible. Founder & Creative Director: Charaf Tajer
Art Director: Steve Grimes
Production by: La Mode En Images
Show styled by: Helena Tejedor
Casting by: Simone Schofer
Makeup by: Fara Homidi
Hair by: Karim Belghiran
Nails: Alex Feller

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​Press by: KCD Worldwide