Isamu Katayama's Backlash

Founded in 1999 by Japanese designer Isamu Katayama, ISAMU KATAYAMA BACKLASH is a luxury leatherwear brand renowned for its uncompromising craftsmanship and innovative material treatments. Katayama’s early fascination with leather and his background in artisanal production shaped the brand’s philosophy: meticulous hand-processing, experimental dye techniques, and a commitment to longevity over mass production.

Backlash gained international recognition in the early 2000s, presenting in Milan and Paris and earning a reputation as one of Japan’s leading leather specialists. The brand’s signature aesthetic blends technical precision with a raw, tactile sensibility, often drawing from rock-influenced and avant-garde design codes. Collaborations with designers such as Yohji Yamamoto further solidified its standing in the global fashion industry.

Today, Backlash remains distinguished for its dedication to artisanal craftsmanship and its continual pursuit of advancing leather as a medium.