Champion, the authentic American athletic wear brand, has been collaborating with creators in Japan in various forms since 2021, treating Champion products as a canvas for creative expression throughout the brand's long history. The first artist featured in 2026 is illustrator Ichijo Hikaru, known for colorful and dynamic expression. Collaboration items with Ichijo go on limited sale starting Saturday, July 25, at Champion's official online store and directly-run stores.
Ichijo Hikaru completed graduate studies at Tokyo University of the Arts, then worked at a design firm before becoming an active illustrator in 2018. Ichijo's work is characterized by color expression rooted in printing techniques and graphical illustration, spanning books, advertising, and packaging.
For this collaboration, Ichijo reinterpreted a personally familiar image of Champion through illustration, creating artwork of a basketball blending into everyday scenery, along with artwork of American football reminiscent of a vintage T-shirt. The result is two authentic short sleeve T-shirt designs carrying an American sports mood and vintage-like atmosphere true to Champion.
Short Sleeve T-Shirts
Colors: White, Oxford Gray, Black
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Price: ¥8,250 (tax included)
Colors: White, Oxford Gray, Navy
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Price: ¥8,250 (tax included)
Release date: Saturday, July 25
Special site: https://championstore.jp/hikaruichijo
Where to buy: Champion's official online shop and all Champion directly-run stores
About Ichijo Hikaru
Active as an illustrator since 2018, Ichijo focuses on color expression rooted in printing techniques along with graphical, gentle illustration. By intentionally leaving faces undrawn, Ichijo avoids judgments based on appearance, creating work with the belief that as it circulates through advertising, packaging, and books, it can gradually shift how people see things.
