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Inspiration strikes in the most unexpected places, at the most unexpected times. A song, a word, a fleeting memory. For badibanga‘s Co-Founder & Creative Director Oscar Badibanga, it was a trip to Osaka’s vibrant Amerikamura district that he took ten years ago. A “lost file” resurfaced, with archived street photography from that journey, alongside clippings from magazines he collected while in Japan.
From this rediscovered trove, Project O was born. The second batch from badibanga pays homage to tradition while weaving together an array of influences. Tadao Ando’s architectural precision, vintage military aesthetics, and the serene landscapes of Naoshima Island all converge in a narrative that bridges past and present.
Merging tradition with rebellion, the collection channels the restless energy of Amerikamura while honouring timeless craftsmanship. Though some may see these forces as opposites. two parallel lines destined never to meet, Oscar sees it differently. “For me, there is a really thin line between tradition and rebellion. Everything that became traditional started with a rebellious movement.”
This perspective allowed for a balance within the collection, where understated luxury meets workwear function. The result? A new urban uniform; clean-lined Japanese design fused with the pragmatic ethos of traditional uniforms. The fabrics were chosen with intention. With the exception of a few lightweight pieces, most of the collection is crafted from heavy fabrics such as gabardine and thick cotton, giving the wearer a sense of confidence and power.
And who is the wearer of Project O? “A nomad artist,” Oscar says. But also, it’s whoever the collection speaks to. “When the first launch happened I had people that I wouldn’t think would love or appreciate peace, started to look at it. The idea is always to have a brand that is really inclusive, in a sense that it can touch a lot of different people based on what they actually want to do with.”
This versatility and harmonious energy is an extenstion of Oscar’s partnership with badibanga Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer Gilda Gilantash. “Project O represents more than just a collection,” she states. “It stands a a tribute to the origins that shaped Oscar Badibanga and the cultural exchanges that continue to inspire him.”
Project O is a continuation of the badibanga DNA, which was first established in the brand’s debut collection, My grandfather was a tailor, which paid homage to Oscar’s lineage. Hero pieces from that first drop, like the Gilda coat, Maloy jacket, and Rash pants, make a reappearance in Project O, reimagined with fresh fabrics and new colorways.
While badibanga might take inspiration from the past, its gaze is firmly set on the future. “We have a other stuff in the pipeline that are going to be really interesting,” Oscar teases. “Community is also super important for us—to build a community of people that we actually appreciate and love.”
