Soccer star Djibril Cissé, basketball icon Candace Parker and skater Marcos Montoya walked Y-3’s catwalk, spotlighted by throbbing, syncopated LED lights in Pavillon Cambon’s vast hall. It marked the brand’s second return to a fashion show format post-pandemic and presented an elevated collection with an overt nod to its sporting roots.
Born from a collaboration between Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas forged 23 years ago, Y-3 has been pioneering in its approach to athleisure, which is all the rage today. Y-3’s collection for fall 2025 lifted the fashion genre to new heights, with an elegant lineup to fill a wardrobe. Form trumps function, although there was that, too, with elements like padded pants and sleeves.
Although mostly in black and white, a host of the season’s looks – including knitwear, outerwear and cargo pants – were decorated with amorphic shapes in orange, red and white inspired by Suibokuga, the Japanese ink technique aping fossilized amber.
Adida’s signature three stripes embellished skirts, trousers and jackets, and more subtly appeared in fine details on a hat or models’ ponytail holders.
A black leather motorcycle jacket was paired with black pants synched at the ankle that appeared half skirt. More overtly nodding to the sport was the series of racing suits and helmets developed through a collaboration between Y-3 and the Japanese brand Neighborhood, called Y-3-N. Those have artwork by Death Spray Custom and leather protective garments made with Dainese, an Italian racing company.
Adidas combat boots and archival sneakers helped propel models down the long runway.
