Casablanca AW25

"You got some packages here" Pedro said. "What is it? Open them and take a picture for me." I replied. When I opened up the picture it was the much anticipated Casablanca invitation with a Japanese mascot inspired tennis ball bag charm. I was elated! Arriving at the Casablanca AW25 show at the Louvre felt like stepping into a Tokyo dreamscape, one where Bōsōzoku rebels collide with Harajuku kawaii, and corporate uniforms melt into rave-ready sequins. Creative director Charaf Tajer’s collection, titled Kaizen (Japanese for "continuous improvement"), was an experience of cultural fusion, blending his two-decade obsession with Japan into a riot of tailored contrasts.

Arriving at the show we were greeted by two friendly mascots, a tennis ball and an orange. We took our seats and were treated to more gifts, stickers that we can use on notebooks, water bottles, etc. It truly felt like Casablanca embraced the Japanese culture, small gifts for big happiness. The show space mirrored Japan’s juxtapositions, neon cityscape projections faded into serene mountain backdrops, while models strutted past in looks that mashed subcultural grit with refined elegance. Think corporate pinstripes slashed with Harajuku-esque pastels. Tajer’s genius this season lies in making chaos feel harmonious.

Some notable pieces were magnificently oversized menswear pieces, tailored coats over beautifully tailored wool suits. Leather motocross jackets were a staple as well as shearling jackets. A personal favorite was a short, high neck red cutout dress. Neon green was also a color for the season, showing up in high slit skirts and button down shirts.

In a season obsessed with nostalgia, Casablanca’s AW25 felt fresh by celebrating now, Japan’s youth-driven reinvention. As Tajer told Hypebae, "It’s not about tradition frozen in time, but culture that’s alive, messy, and evolving". If SS25 was Tajer’s LA lowrider fantasy, AW25 was his Tokyo love letter, proof that fashion’s future lies in collisions, not categories. Coco and I later made it to the afterparty at the same show space. It was an evening of free flowing good vibes, unexpected new friends and redacted moments. It felt very Casablanca.