Form Follows Mechanics: Apparel for the Mat
A capsule collection of hoodies and sweatpants for Submission Only, produced with New Balance. Classic Japanese jiu-jitsu iconography meets subtle references to Istanbul, creating training wear with a story from both places.
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The graphics draw on the classic iconography of jiu-jitsu, from the visual language of the gi and belt ranks to traditional Japanese motifs, reworked into clean, graphic compositions that feel at home in streetwear. Woven in alongside them are quieter nods to Istanbul: details inspired by the city's patterns and coordinates, kept subtle so they reward a second look rather than shout. The result is a set built for the mat and worn well beyond it, where discipline and heritage from one culture meet the character of another, and every detail has a reason to be there.
ROADS NOT TAKEN
Not every concept makes it to production, but these deserve to be seen. Alongside the final collection, I developed several alternate directions for the hoodies and sweatpants, each exploring a different take on jiu-jitsu iconography, from bolder graphics to quieter, more minimal treatments. They weren't selected for the final range, but they show the thinking behind it and the directions the collection could have taken.
