Gaming collaborations often start with a blank product and finish by adding a logo. The new Forza Horizon 6 denim jackets take a much more involved approach.
Created by UPRISERS LAB with Sung Kang, Xbox, and Japanese music event Zipangu, the project uses upcycled Japanese selvedge denim to connect the game’s setting, car culture, music, and clothing through the construction of the piece itself.
Two versions were produced. The Zipangu edition includes laser-etched cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, Japanese sports cars, and Forza Horizon 6 graphics. Reflective 3M tape follows the seams, staying subtle during the day and becoming visible under headlights or flash. Inside, the jacket has a fully printed game lining, a pocket sized for an Xbox or PlayStation controller, and a detachable keychain zipper pull.
The Sung Kang edition goes further. Only six were made, each in a periwinkle color inspired by the Tokyo evening sky. Hand-sewn cherry blossom appliqués and sashiko-style patches bring more texture to the surface, while the interior includes mechanic, controller, tool, and snack pockets. Rechargeable LED tape is threaded through the seams and can cycle through eight modes, turning the jacket into something closer to a wearable piece of Tokyo nightlife.
The amount of detail could easily have tipped into novelty, but the use of upcycled denim and references to sashiko give the project a stronger foundation. Sashiko developed from repair and reinforcement before becoming recognized for its visual language. That makes it especially relevant to a jacket designed around material longevity, customization, and car culture.
The best part is that the game reference is not limited to surface graphics. Reflective seams make sense for the road. The controller pocket acknowledges how the jacket will be used. The lining and hidden details reward closer inspection. Each decision helps translate the world of the game into a physical object.
This is what gaming-inspired fashion can look like when the collaboration begins with design rather than branding.
See the full collaboration details.
Image: UPRISERS LAB / Xbox. Photograph by Kimberly Au.
