Role: Creative Director
Agency: W+K Tokyo
Photographers: Ahmad Barber, Donte Maurice & Houmi Sakata
Naomi Osaka hasn't taken a break since winning her third major title at 2020's US Open. The 23-year-old has been busy advocating for social justice, spreading light on racism, and kickstarting her own tennis academy for underrepresented youth and female coaches, just to name a few.
With the support of Nike, we organized a collaboration where Osaka played a central role by becoming I-D Japan's newest guest editor. The Grand Slam champion joined forces with the fashion and contemporary culture magazine to help showcase some unique personalities amongst Japanese youth, and how they are pushing to create a better future for Japan.
Osaka's contributions as a guest editor are all a part of the magazine's special printed and digital issue called "Future Chasers: Class of 2021". Through interviews and special articles, the issue aims to dive deep into hard-hitting topics and focuses on bullying, discrimination, and racism, and on how to create a better Japan.