Aigle is teaming up with 2023 LVMH Prize winner Satoshi Kuwata, founder of Setchu, on a capsule collection set to debut in September, as the heritage label continues its repositioning around a more defined “French outdoor lifestyle” identity.
Kuwata will serve as artistic director of the capsule, titled “Aigle by Setchu,” set to blend the designer’s tailoring chops and Aigle’s expertise in technical outdoor clothing.
The collection will draw inspiration from fishing and performance garments, reinterpreted through Setchu’s lens of elegant functionality. Aigle’s visual codes will also be reworked, including A-shaped pleats, a new double stripe motif and a redesigned logo incorporating an origami detail — a nod to Kuwata’s Japanese heritage.
“As a passionate fishing enthusiast, I am deeply honored to collaborate with Aigle, a house renowned for its craftsmanship and outdoor expertise — it is a dream come true. For me, this experience goes far beyond fashion: it is a way to bring creation and passion closer together,” said Kuwata.
Born near Kyoto and trained at London’s Central Saint Martins, Kuwata founded Setchu in 2020 after working with brands including Givenchy and designers such as Gareth Pugh. His Milan-based label is known for transformable garments that combine Japanese and Western design elements. He took the the Italian Who Is on Next prize in 2022, before earning the LVMH nod the following year.
The partnership also aligns with a broader strategy shift at Aigle under chief executive Valérie Dassier, who has spent the past three years reshaping the brand’s identity.
“Our collaboration with Setchu embodies our conviction that exceptional craftsmanship and bold creative vision can redefine the garment experience. Together, we are shaping a contemporary perspective on the dialogue between style, functionality and a deep-rooted connection to nature,” Dassier said.
Founded in 1853 and best known for its rubber boots, Aigle has been sharpening its positioning as a modern outdoor brand, including revamped flagships in Paris and Hong Kong that highlight its artisanal heritage.
The Setchu capsule appears to be the next step in that branding evolution.
