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casablanca aw25 | kaizen

Casablanca’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection celebrated Japan and its many contradictions. Charaf Tajer has long drawn inspiration from the country, but this time, he went deeper, exploring the tension between tradition and rebellion, uniformity and self-expression.  

Titled Kaizen, after the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement, the collection was a visual dialogue between cultural exchange and homage. The influence of Japan’s subcultures was evident in every detail: Bōsōzoku biker motifs were reimagined as debossed leather jackets, Harajuku’s Kawaii aesthetic (very 2000s) shaped playful accessories, and corporate uniforms were deconstructed into relaxed, layered tailoring. The mix was as eclectic as Tokyo itself — rave-ready neon jacquards sat alongside soft pastels, while intricate cherry blossom embroideries appeared on biker jackets and evening dresses alike.  

Casablanca’s signature silk shirts were painted with panoramic scenes of the Japanese Alps, while new ski-inspired pieces, including a collaboration with Swiss freeski brand Faction, brought a fresh, alpine energy to the collection. The Montagne sneaker, with a sole sculpted to mimic Mount Fuji, was another thoughtful nod to the landscape.  

Accessories extended the theme of movement and travel. The Jeanne bag evolved with a wave-shaped flap closure, echoing both the motion of the ocean and the fluidity of the collection’s tailoring. Meanwhile, oversized duffels and micro-bags symbolised the great escape — a fun nod to Casablanca’s ever-present wanderlust.  

Tajer has always been a designer who romanticises the places he loves, but Kaizen felt more like a conversation than a fantasy. It wasn’t just about borrowing from Japan — it was about respecting its layers, its fusions, and its ability to reinvent itself. And in that way, it was Casablanca at its best: rooted in nostalgia, but always moving forward.

Discover the collection here.

photography. Daniele Oberrauch
words. Gennaro Costanzo