To celebrate the launch of the Kokoro collection, Oakley is donating US$200,000 to support the fight against COVID-19.
Oakley launches its new Kokoro collection to show the brilliance and beauty of the human race. Designed by renowned artist Meguru Yamaguchi, the colourful collection is created to inspire and unite athletes of all abilities through a shared Love of Sport.
The collection is named ‘Kokoro’, which means ‘heart’ in Japanese. It also celebrates the idea of community and inspires a sense of belonging – something that we need now more than ever during these uncertain times.
Oakley approached the Tokyo-born, Brooklyn based artist Meguru Yamaguchi to design the collection because of his unique style that’s known to push the boundaries of art, gesture and form, by creating “sculptural paintings”. It was the collective mind of Yamaguchi, Oakley visionaries, designers, and Team Oakley athletes that brought this artwork to life through exploring the unifying qualities of sport.
Each individual product is completely unique, having been created through a specialised spin technique. Oakley engineers specifically created a custom-made machine to replicate Yamaguchi’s style of brushstrokes, creating the speckled design.
“I was very excited when Oakley reached out to collaborate, as I’ve been a fan of the brand since my high school days,” said Yamaguchi in a statement. “When I connected with the athletes as part of the discovery phase, I was moved by their united passion for sport. Designing a collection that was emblematic of this shared passion was core to my process and I’m thrilled with the results.”
To mark the launch, Oakley is also making a generous US$200,000 donation to support the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation (WHO), sharing their love to support their global work in helping countries prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund also works on understanding the spread of the virus, ensure patients get the care they need, ensure frontliners get essential supplies, and help accelerate the efforts in developing vaccines, tests, and treatments.
Airbrake® MTB Kokoro Collection
Frogskins™ Kokoro Collection
Flak™ 2.0 XL Kokoro Collection
Radar® EV Path® Kokoro Collection
Jawbreaker™ Kokoro Collection
Flight Jacket™ Kokoro Collection
Sutro Kokoro
EVZero™ Blades Kokoro Collection
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“The Kokoro collection celebrates how a universal love of sport can unify our community,” said Ben Goss, the Global Marketing Director of Oakley. “We’re proud to offer our support to the World Health Organisation which is addressing the global pandemic with passion and precision.”
“I’m grateful to Oakley for this generous and creative contribution to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund,” expressed Elizabeth Cousens, the President and CEO of the UN Foundation. “The Kokoro collection promotes the spirit of global solidarity that will be necessary to defeat this virus. We are truly at our strongest when we work together, as one team.”
Each piece of the Kokoro collection is covered in brandishes of paint in Yamaguchi’s signature fluid and unruly style. They also come fitted with Oakley’s leading Prizm™ Lens Technology, designed to enhance the colour and contrast so athletes are able to see more detail.
To find out more about the Oakley x Meguru Yamaguchi Kokoro collection, you can visit Oakley’s official website here.
Photos: Oakley
