These Sneakers Are a Heritage Hero

Onitsuka Tiger’s classic kicks have stood the test of time—and now, an icon returns.

To study the history of the sneaker is to study innovation. When we look at the evolution of the shoe style, we see a pattern of reinvention and reimagining. Today, styles of the past are beginning to prevail as vintage reigns supreme, and the shoe trends that dominated the fashion community decades ago are coming full circle. The silhouettes we see across street-style galleries and runways today are reminiscent of those created in a previous era, one where sneakers were designed to favour functionality and comfort. This time, they have a fashionable twist. 

This resurgence has been pioneered by Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66, a style that—after bursting into mainstream popularity two years ago—is no longer a trend but a shoe-rack staple. After making countless appearances on the feet of some of fashion’s most influential figures, the lustre of Mexico 66 certainly hasn’t worn off, and the perennial shoe has now become a go-to for Gen Z and millennials.

: T-shirt, unisex, $120. Middle socks, unisex, $20. Sneakers, Mexico 66 Delegation, unisex, pine green/cream, $220. All items by Onitsuka Tiger (Photography: Diego Jose)

The brand is building on that success with another homage to its omnipresence, invoking the zeitgeist of the late ’60s. Yes, a revival of another of Onitsuka’s early shoe designs is hitting the shelves: the Mexico 66 Delegation. 

The Mexico 66 Delegation is a reproduction of the original footwear worn by the Japanese delegation during the 1968 Olympic Parade of Nations and is being released to celebrate more than five decades since the iconic event. In a nod to its roots, Onitsuka Tiger has ensured that the original structure of the shoe, as well as its traditional method of production, has been maintained as much as possible to keep the recreation as close to its earlier design. 

Similar to the Mexico 66, the Mexico 66 Delegation carries a unique cachet that can’t be found in other sneakers. New and improved, the classics are cleverly crafted with superior features that showcase the history of the shoes, epitomising the sartorial prowess—and effortlessly cool nature—of Onitsuka Tiger.

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico Delegation

The design details include the logo on the sides of the shoe, as well as a unique graphic, which mimics the Olympic track on the sock liner; subtle references to the shoe’s 1968 premiere. This distinctive heritage style has been redesigned for the A/W24 collection with a more rounded shape in the front, to make it more comfortable, even for wider feet. The collection will come in four vibrant colours: pine green/cream; vanilla/cream; black/cream; and grey floss/cream, all crafted from premium suede and stitched with the legendary Onitsuka Tiger stripes. The street-style staple has already made waves and is en route to becoming a dominant footwear trend as we barrel headlong into 2025. This is heritage, reimagined.

This article originally appeared in Issue 03 of Cosmopolitan Australia. Get your copy and subscribe to future issues here.

Photography by Diego Jose; Creative direction & styling by Patrick Zaczkiewicz; Hair by Daren Borthwick; Makeup by Peter Beard; Manicure by Cindy Vellis; Model, Beatrys at Kult.

Bailey Finn
Bailey Finn is a Staff Writer at Cosmopolitan Australia. She has been passionate about the creative industries from an early age and her experience spans television, styling, writing, and costume design. When unplugged, she often finds herself surrounded by classic artwork, dabbling in modern photography, or with a route set to the nearest beach.
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