One Piece Sails Onto the Runway: Steve Aoki Brings Anime to New York Fashion Week

One Piece might be best known for Luffy and the Straw Hats' epic battles on the Grand Line but there is another element that has become a staple for the swashbucklers. While many anime franchises routinely keep their characters in one outfit throughout a series, Eiichiro Oda's beloved shonen series takes a different route. Over the decades, the Straw Hat Pirates have thrown on different outfits depending on their locales and various scenarios, adding some originality to their approach.

If you want to learn more about this unique fashion collaboration, Aoki himself has teamed up with Toei Animation to unveil this One Piece fashion line. The One Piece SS25 Collection brings together Aoki's "Dim Mak Collection" and Toei to create fits that capture the Future Island outfits that the Straw Hats have worn in encountering Dr. Vegapunk on Future Island. In recent years, the musician has worn his love for the Straw Hats on his sleeve, routinely wearing attire to prove he was a Grand Line fan. On top of these past instances, Aoki has been a part of major events in the anime world including Anime Expo and the Crunchyroll Awards.

In a recent interview with Vogue, legendary music artist Steve Aoki discussed the new fashion line, and how One Piece makes for a perfect fit for the world of real-life fashion, "I'd like to highlight how this collection brings a unique, high-fashion twist to streetwear. We've incorporated luxe materials and intricate details that elevate each piece, making it not just about comfort and style, but also about craftsmanship and sophistication. I believe in merging the worlds of anime and high fashion, creating a new space where these two cultures meet in a way that hasn't been done before."

One Piece X DIM MAK: A Look at the Collection

The "One Piece Spring Summer 2025 Collection" is a collaboration between Steve Aoki's fashion label Dim Mak and Toei Animation. The collection is inspired by the current Egghead arc of the One Piece anime, and features designs based on the Straw Hat Pirates' outfits, including Luffy's Gear 5.

The Collection's Key Elements

The collection features a variety of pieces, including:

Bomber-style jackets: These jackets come in a variety of styles, including Zoro, Lilith, and Luffy's Gear 5 variations.
Graphic printed athletic mesh jerseys: These jerseys feature designs inspired by Bonney, Trafalgar Law, Franky, and York.
Tapestry-inspired embroidered jackets: These jackets are a luxurious touch to the collection, with a design inspired by Gear 5.
Accessories: The collection also includes a variety of accessories, such as caps, trucker and faux fur-lined quilted satin trapper hats, and molded silicone boots inspired by Egghead.

Runway Event

The collection was unveiled at a runway show during New York Fashion Week on September 9, 2024. The show featured a diverse lineup of models, including Olympics track & field Olympic Bronze medalist Junelle Bromfield and reigning world champion Noah Lyles, both of whom identify as hardcore anime fans. The show was an immersive experience, using images and elements from the One Piece anime to create a unique atmosphere.

One Piece's Fashionable Future

Aside from scoring its own fashion line, the Straw Hat Pirates have found numerous ways to inject their colorful characters and stories into the real world. This year alone, Luffy and his crew arrived in Las Vegas in style by taking over the "Sphere" and opening an official "One Piece Cafe" as well. To say nothing of Netflix seeing some major success with the live-action One Piece adaptation, that hit such levels of success that it was confirmed for a second season that is now in production.

Ironically enough, Eiichiro Oda's shonen masterpiece has hit the heights of its popularity in the final saga of the series. Both One Piece's manga and anime adaptation are setting the stage for the Straw Hat Pirates to sail off into the sunset, though this doesn't mean the end if nigh. In the past, Oda has spent years creating storylines, meaning that the same will most likely be true for this final saga. As anime fans well know, many loose ends will need to be tied up before Luffy achieves his goal of becoming the king of the pirates.

The Future is Bright for One Piece

One Piece has taken a strong foothold in popular culture, and it's clear that the series is only going to continue to grow in popularity in the coming years. The success of the anime, the manga, and the recent live-action adaptation is a testament to the power of the story and the characters. With the release of the new fashion line, One Piece is showing that it is more than just an anime; it is a cultural phenomenon. The series is proving to be a powerful force in the world of fashion, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for One Piece and its fashion collaborations.

A Look at the Past

Steve Aoki isn't new to bringing the world of anime to fashion. He's also designed collections for InuYasha, Naruto, and Attack on Titan. This continued partnership with Toei Animation, in particular, shows a dedicated effort to the fashion world, and a focus on elevating anime fashion beyond just streetwear.

Stay Tuned for More!

This year is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the One Piece franchise, and there are many more exciting events planned. Be sure to follow along with the official One Piece social media channels for the latest updates. We'll keep you updated on all of the latest news and developments. You've got this, Straw Hats!