Concerned with bringing quality and innovation to the forefront, KITH desires to spotlight brands to a new marketplace. Partnering with Japanese retailer nano universe and one of the longest standing down manufacturers in Japan with Nishikawa Down, KITH releases its most detailed outerwear assortment to date – the “Black Diamond” Collection.

We sought to do away with the importance of brand names with this collection. Each party was able to contribute a key element, as nano universe and Nishikawa Down brought the finest Japanese fabrics to the table, and KITH designed each innovative silhouette. The significance is the product, and we sought to make that fully evident. With winter about to take full effect, the collection is rooted in warmth and functionality, therefore each piece is named after some of Japan’s most famous mountains.

The Ainodake Parka ($640 USD) equips modern trappings to a classic parka silhouette. Created in two colorways – Black/Midnight Navy and Burgundy/Charcoal – the parka is constructed using a down-filled poly shell for unsurpassed warmth. The inside is lined with quilted nylon, furthering the effect of insulation. A raccoon fur-trimmed hood adds a classic element to this modern interpretation, which is countered by elements such as enlarged co-branded front buttons and a two-way heavy gauge YKK zipper concealed under a front storm placket. 

The Tateyama Jacket ($560 USD) acts as the middle ground of outerwear, and offers a different aesthetic while retaining the theme of the collection. Available in three makeups – Charcoal, Oatmeal, and Grey/Navy – each colorway offers different sensibilities. The Charcoal version features a down-filled nylon shell lined with a reversed heavyweight cotton French terry. The Oatmeal version’s composition is just as layered, as the outside is a soft cotton French terry, filled with down, and lined with reverse cotton French terry. Lastly, the Grey/Navy edition is colorblocked, and features a combination of cotton French terry and wool, filled with down, and lined with a reverse French terry. Each jacket is horizontally quilted with heavy gauge two-way YKK zippers, custom co-branded buttons, gator rib-knit sleeve cuffs, and an adjustable hood with drawcord and toggle.

The first of its kind, the Fuji Down Bomber Jacket ($460 USD) features a vintage flight jacket silhouette completely reconstructed and revamped. Each bomber is reversible, with three executions – Midnight Navy/Quilted Black Woodland Camo, Maroon/Quilted Khaki, and Black/Midnight Navy Quilted Black Leopard. The jackets are inconspicuously filled with a compacted down, thus allowing it to retain its usual shape while providing vastly increased warmth. A four-way heavy gauge YKK zipper was applied the front, so each side has a two-way zipper closure for added effect. The left sleeve also features a traditional bomber jacket pocket detail, complete with minimal 3M KITH-branding.

The Kitadake Vest ($325 USD) is a completely original piece of outerwear designed for advanced layering. Two colors are available – Heather Grey and Charcoal – and both are horizontally quilted with a down filling. The Heather Grey is made from a heavyweight cotton French terry, while the Charcoal uses a nylon outer shell with a reverse terry lining. The front is adorned with a kangaroo pocket, while the right side permits increased accessibility with a full-side zipper and snap closure at the shoulder.

The final top was made in sole collaboration with nano universe, and is perhaps the most casual piece of the collection – the Frayed Hoody ($160 USD). Available in four versions – Black, Navy, White, and Oatmeal – this hoody is crafted from loose-knit heavyweight Japanese cotton French terry. An extended cut, this silhouette features two side YKK zipper vents, a front kangaroo pocket, and an adjustable cotton drawstring hood. Special details include an unorthodox rear raw-edge double hem for an increased layering effect, as well as a genuine leather printed KITH logo seen near the side left vent.

This was meant to be a top-to-bottom outerwear collection, so an all-new over-pant was designed, titled the Hakusan Quilted Pant ($325 USD). Four colors were developed – Khaki, Woodland Camo, Black, and Heather Grey – and each pant is made from nylon, save for the Heather Grey, which utilizes a heavyweight terry. The pants were created to go over a bottom for added warmth, and feature a tailored cut with an elastic cuff and invisible zipper. The front includes a functional zipper fly and two front YKK zipper pockets, while the rear has a right zipper patch pocket.

Four progressive entrepreneurs were used to model the pieces - Ronnie Fieg, founder and head designer of KITH, and close partner Sam Ben-avraham, as well as managing partners of strategic marketing, communications, and experiential agency Team Epiphany, Sky Gellatly and Coltrane Curtis. These men were chosen due to their ability to represent innovation and individuality, which are two characteristics exuded by this collection.  

The KITH x nano universe x Nishikawa Down “Black Diamond” Collection will be available in-store at the New KITH Shop 644 Broadway and KITH Brooklyn 233 Flatbush Ave beginning Black Friday, November 28. The collection will be made available online on Cyber Monday, December 1, at 11AM EST on KithNYC.com. The collection will also be made available in limited quantities at nano universe in Tokyo, Japan.

Photography: Hannah Sider