It is a brand that merges the sporting heritage of adidas and their iconic three stripes with the high-end prestige of designer Yohji Yamamoto, Y3 is a unique concept that sees sleek Japanese design introduced to the uncharted territory of casual sportswear. Y3 has helped reinforce adidas’ attempts to move from the track and field into the streets and fashion runways too.

In essence, adidas and Yohji Yamamoto are united in their goal to create light, fashionable product, designed to move- the 3 Stripes in Motion.

Y3’s latest collection is available online at Mainline Menswear now and the pack evidences a return to the graphic simplicity of both Yamamoto’s work and adidas’ three-stripe motif. Polos, t-shirts, zip-ups and jackets make up the key silhouettes, sitting alongside a wealth of footwear such as the latest Honja and Sprint trainers.

The Jet Parka jacket is arguably the key piece in the latest drop, made in a cotton-polyester mix with leather detailing to finish. Coming in a cargo green colour, it features double ended zip-fastens with an over-lapping Velcro flap. This is a statement jacket that could well be the base of an Autumn/Winter wardrobe.

The range continues with the over-riding theme of simplicity and easy, fluid, ergonomic garments. As ever the classic Y3 colour palette of predominantly black and white is characteristic of the new line, but the over-riding emphasis is on delicate jerseys, conjuring up a sense of easy elegance and luxurious comfort.

In terms of footwear, the two most revered icons in their collection: the Boost and the Qasa, are yet to receive a re-work- that will probably come early next year- but both are still available in their current guises online. This season has seen the Honja footwear style- a silhouette inspired by skate shoes- offered in a low cut, soft matte black leather form with contrasting panels placed at various points. Further, this directional new shoe is detailed with a lightweight outsole, providing the wearer with superior comfort and stability.

The brand recently presented their latest collection during Paris Men’s Fashion Week, the collection signifies a return to the graphic simplicity of both Yamamoto’s work and adidas’ three-stripe motif. On the night men’s and women’s pieces debuted side by side against a back drop of modern dance performances.

The show had notable attendees from Asian-American model Soo Joo Park and adidas’ own athlete Damian Lillard from the Portland Trailblazers.

Since its launch in 2003, Y3 has remained fascinated by transcending sportswear within fashion, pioneering a futuristic sport-style that at its very core enables the body to move faster, stronger and more elegantly. Inspired by Yamamoto’s desire for a new energy, Y3 revisits this idea with the message of the season being- the Three Stripes in Motion. “It’s time to move” said Yamamoto, “This is life’s only constant and I was enchanted by the beauty and simplicity of the body in motion. This was my only inspiration.”