Big in Japan
Review of Casablanca Fall 2025 Fashion Show
By Mark Wittmer
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
Slick subcultural intersections. Kawaii cool.
Eternal tourist Charaf Tajer sets his sights on Japan once again with his Fall 2025 collection for Casablanca. Tajer has been traveling to Japan for 20 years, and this is his second collection directly inspired by the country. But while the first specifically tapped into City Pop as representative of the economic and cultural boom of the 80s, the latest seeks to celebrate a broad range of contemporary subcultures.
Across slick silhouettes with a color palette that flits from black to signature pastels to rave-ready neons, the spirit of cultural homage casts a wide net. Tailoring nods to traditional Japanese kimono while contrasting the sober sophistication of salarymen with rave-ready neons. The iconic embroideries of Bōsōzoku bikers are reimagined on leather jackets, while calligraphy prints reference both tattoo and street art scenes in Tokyo.
The collection also features a skiwear capsule inspired by Japan’s mountain ranges, including collaborative skis with Swiss brand Faction and designs reflecting the Japanese Alps.
The influence of Kawaii culture is evident in the collection’s use of soft pastels, floral motifs, and plushie mascots. Cherry blossoms adorn evening wear and casual pieces, crafted in materials ranging from wool-satin to alpaca knitwear, and even plasticized embroidery, reconsidering the ubiquitous material from a luxury perspective with a focus on sustainability and craftsmanship.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
The collection is another solid example of Tajer’s ability to incorporate his love of travel and excitement about hte cultural aesthetics he continually seeks out into his cohesive vision for Casablanca. At the same time, though, this spirit of always being a tourist is the source of the collection’s, and the brand’s more broadly, persisting weakness: the collections lack a certain authenticity, feeling more like a surface-level caricature than a genuine conversation with culture and heritage.
That being said, these brief trips always do produce great souvenirs. The collection is alive with dozens of covetable and super cute pieces, and fans of Casablanca’s globe-trotting style will be eager to get their hands on them.
