AI visuals, artisanal techniques, and a deconstructed sole redefine the classic Medalist sneaker for Tokyo Fashion Week
After making its first impression on the Maison Mihara Yasuhiro AW25 runway in Paris, Autry’s latest creative partnership with the Japanese label has stepped into the spotlight once more — this time on the streets of Tokyo. Launching during Tokyo Fashion Week on September 2nd, the Autry x Maison Mihara Yasuhiro “General Scale.” capsule brings a bold and tactile reinterpretation of the Medalist sneaker to market, merging vintage Americana with experimental Japanese deconstruction.
Named “Broken Something,” the capsule is a study in contradictions — pristine form meets artistic decay, purity clashes with imperfection, and sneaker function becomes sculptural statement. While the sneaker retains the upper silhouette of Autry’s classic Medalist — a cult favorite among minimalists and sneakerheads alike — it’s the sole that tells the story: hand-modeled in clay, exaggerated in scale, and finished through a four-step artisanal process that gives it a cracked, eroded texture. The result is both physically weighty and metaphorically rich — a grounded shoe built for uncertain times.
A surreal, AI-generated campaign sets the stage for the launch, placing the sneaker within a floating post-industrial dreamscape of fractured ruins and suspended motion. Shattered rock formations and minimalist greyscale backdrops mirror the collection’s raw, deconstructed aesthetic and center the sneaker as a piece of wearable art. By stripping away noise and context, the visuals double down on form and materiality — amplifying the tactile complexity of the design.
“Autry is a new standard sneaker brand,” said designer Mihara Yasuhiro. “Its timelessness is a kind of rebellion. In this era of accelerating information and trend cycles, Autry offers people a clear vision and style. That’s what I wanted to explore on my runway — to highlight a moment of clarity through this co-branded design.”
Roberta Benaglia, President of Autry, echoed the sentiment: “Collaborating with Mihara Yasuhiro allowed us to explore new creative dimensions while remaining true to our identity. The result is a bold reinterpretation of our Medalist sneaker — one that merges two distinct cultures and aesthetics into a single, sculptural statement. We’re proud to bring this vision to life in such a dynamic way, both through the campaign and the immersive launch event in Tokyo.”
With this latest evolution, Autry continues to carve out its position in the footwear landscape not by chasing trends, but by distilling heritage into something enduring and unexpected. The “Broken Something” capsule may evoke entropy, but its execution is anything but chaotic — instead offering a calm, deliberate meditation on design, identity, and craftsmanship.
The Autry x Maison Mihara Yasuhiro General Scale. sneakers are now available in black, white, and bicolor editions for men and women. They mark not just a collaboration, but a collision — of material and philosophy, heritage and futurism — grounded in the universal power of a well-made sneaker.
