Mizuno and Shinzo Travel From Paris to Tokyo With Dual-Layer Collaboration
Transforming from corduroy to cherry blossom.












Mizuno has revealed a collaboration with Parisian retailer Shinzo, taking inspiration from the legacy of sport, performance and ’90s culture. Featuring the Contender silhouette, the two labels have looked at their respective hometowns of Paris and Tokyo to create a multi-layered sneaker that mixes French and Japanese influences.
The sneaker features a corduroy upper inspired by Paris, nodding to its subway, freestones and architecture. This upper, however, can be cut away to reveal a second skin hiding below. This layer is constructed from canvas and celebrates the Japanese cherry blossom season through an all-over pattern. Wearers can choose whether to let the upper layer wear out, revealing the cherry blossom over time, or they can use their own creative instincts to combine the two worlds.
Take a look at the shoe in both of its states in the gallery above. Mizuno and Shinzo have also created a video showing people how they can customize the shoe and reveal the hidden layer. Additionally, a leaflet comes with each pair, explaining the do’s and don’ts. The Mizuno x Shinzo Contender is due to release in the near future.
In other footwear news, HYPEBEAST editors recently discussed the sneakers they wore most in the first half of 2021.