“The Slow Game: Itomaki F.C.”

Cut & Sewn Japanese Selvedge Denim Soccer Jersey

Original 1/1

10 oz. Japanese Selvedge Denim, Cotton, Leather, Cotton Thread, Polyester Thread, Acrylic Paint
C. 2024

"Itomaki FC" takes its name from the ancient Japanese wooden spools that have guided threads through looms for generations. In an era where football's influence extends far beyond the pitch and into high fashion, this jersey design explores the delicate balance between cultural evolution and preservation. Through Japanese selvedge denim and traditional sashiko stitching, this piece examines how football's meteoric rise in fashion—marked by endless collaborations and capsule collections—often threatens the very cultural elements that made the sport's aesthetic compelling. As luxury brands rush to capitalize on football's cultural currency, this jersey stands as a meditation on slow fashion and thoughtful creation—each stitch a deliberate act of resistance against the swift current of mass production.

Cut and sewn using both modern machinery and hand-stitching techniques, the piece brings together progress and tradition—each machine-sewn seam providing structure while hand-stitched details add soul and story. The intentionally boxy silhouette echoes traditional Japanese garment design, while raw edges and intentionally frayed details remind us of denim's honest, working-class roots and the beauty of imperfection. The methodical process of sashiko stitching mirrors the beautiful game itself: seemingly simple on the surface, yet revealing intricate patterns through patient observation. This idea comes together in the hand-stitched leather patch, where a vintage football becomes the pupil of an embroidered eye—beneath it, the word "vision" serves as both club motto and a metaphor for seeing beyond fashion's surface-level adoption of football culture, inviting a deeper look at what we risk losing in rapid commercialization. Like the itomaki spool that guides threads to create something greater than its parts, this work challenges viewers to consider how we might preserve the soul of craftsmanship even as football continues its evolution into a global cultural catalyst—advocating for a more conscious approach to growth that celebrates innovation while fiercely protecting the authentic traditions that gave the sport its soul.

Copyright © 2024 Stefano Lonzano