Michael Le Many know Nepenthes for Engineered Garments, Needles, and South2 West8. But before these labels were established, the storefront — which was founded by Keizo Shimizu in 1988 — was a hub for American goods that were difficult to acquire in Japan. So today, when you step foot in one of the boutique’s several locations, you’re greeted to a variety of products, from USA-made socks by The Railroad Sock to Goodyear welted options from Alden.
More recently, On Running has joined the growing Nepenthes catalog. And to celebrate the newly-introduced Cloudmonster, the Japanese retailer’s New York outpost has highlighted the silhouette in a well-executed editorial, pairing it with all three of their core brands.
Set in the prosaic New York transit system, the editorial blends the above-mentioned Cloudmonster with Nepenthes’ signature, at-times eccentric style. Whether next to Needles trackpants or S2W8’s bold Horn Camo, the sneaker complements well the adjacent garments. The imposing Monster CloudTec sole suits both loose, billowing trousers as well as pocket-equipped shorts, and the colorways — despite their pops of blue and orange — are not distracting below a full look of print and color.
The On Cloudmonster is available in “Acai/Aloe” and “Frost/Surf” right now on NepenthesNY.com at a retail of $170 USD.
