Polo Ralph Lauren showcased its one-of-a-kind Reimagined collection at PoloFest Tokyo, held from 23rd to 25th October at Jing Harajuku. The project pairs vintage garments with Japan’s time-honoured textile traditions, celebrating repair as an art form and preserving the stories woven into well-worn clothing.
The art of wear, repair and reinvention
Drawing on boro patchwork and sashiko embroidery, Japanese artisans revive pre-worn Polo pieces through meticulous mending, intricate stitching and bespoke reconstruction. Faded fabrics, visible repairs and contrasting patches become distinctive design features, preserving each garment’s history.
Among the contributors is Yui Narita, founder of Osaka vintage store Brown Tabby Works. Inspired by workwear heritage, he embroidered playful smiley faces onto chinos, reinforced an Aran-knit sweater with vintage denim patches and repaired an oilcloth jacket using fabric salvaged from three other Polo jackets.
Mitsugu Sasaki of Sasaki Yōhinten, a traditional workwear repair workshop in Miyagi Prefecture, applied boro techniques to a faded navy windbreaker, adding indigo patches and an embroidered red Polo Pony. The Sashiko Gals, a collective of female artisans from Ōtsuchi, crafted a seated Polo Bear from indigo denim and chambray scraps, recalling the original Polo Bear sweater from 1992. Read our interview with the Sashiko Gals to learn more about how they are redefining the role of traditional craftsmanship in the luxury industry.
Stitched with history
Other highlights include patchwork ties and hats made from layered fabric scraps, alongside distressed denim baseball caps embellished with red felt letters spelling “RALPH.” Throughout the collection, traditional Japanese craftsmanship lends American sportswear a distinctly individual character.
The project reflects Ralph Lauren’s enduring affection for well-worn clothing, where marks of use become part of a garment’s story. It also celebrates the brand’s longstanding connection with Japan, where Polo Ralph Lauren debuted in 1976. Ahead of its 60th anniversary in 2027, the inaugural PoloFest honours the collectors, craftspeople and communities behind its legacy.
Courtesy of RALPH LAUREN
