Colors and materials found in old clothing have made their way into the world of Pokémon.
A plush collection created in collaboration between Los Angeles-based designer Sean Wotherspoon and the Pokémon Center will be released in Korea on October 27.
The collaboration consists of three products that reinterpret Bulbasaur, Charizard and Pikachu through the colors and patterns of vintage clothing.
Drawing on details from vintage clothing selected by Sean Wotherspoon himself, the designs feature a worn-in texture and patchwork that looks as though different fabrics have been stitched together.
A design journey from sneakers to Pokémon
A vintage collector and designer, Sean Wotherspoon has long incorporated design elements found in clothing and objects from the past into contemporary products.
The release that made his name widely known was the Nike Air Max 1/97 SW in 2018.
Combining the upper of the Air Max 97 with the sole of the Air Max 1, the model used multicolored corduroy for a look unlike other sneakers.
The design began with an old Nike hat, to which he added colors and details drawn from sneakers and windbreakers of the 1980s and ’90s.
Wotherspoon has said that he wanted to express his nostalgia at the time through a new product.
The Pokémon collaboration follows a similar approach.
This time, however, he has translated designs previously seen on sneakers and clothing into a new form: plush toys.
Capturing the colors and textures of old clothes
The collection is united by the faded colors and patchwork characteristic of vintage clothing.
While conventional character plush toys recreate the originals with vivid colors and uniform materials, this collection combines different patterns and colors to evoke the feel of well-worn objects.
Bandana, check and floral patterns coexist within a single product, alongside corduroy-like textures and fabrics that appear faded.
This approach goes beyond simply changing the Pokémon’s colors.
It preserves each character’s iconic appearance while giving the fabrics that make up its body new personality through pattern and color.
Bulbasaur: Olive Green and Vintage Fabrics
Bulbasaur’s color scheme centers on olive green instead of its usual bright blue-green.
Its body has a ribbed, corduroy-like texture, while the seed on its back combines bandana and floral patterns.
Notably, the sections that make up the seed feature different colors and patterns.
Its red eyes, forehead markings and familiar four-legged shape remain intact, while the overall colors and feel of the materials have changed.
Charizard: Patchwork Across Its Wings
Of the three products, Charizard features the most varied combination of patterns.
Its orange body has a corduroy-like texture, while its widely spread wings feature green and red checks, floral prints and other patterns.
Different colors and patterns also appear on parts of its neck, arms and legs.
The flame at the tip of its tail also departs from its usual solid color, reimagined with a red-and-white pattern.
The design highlights the contrast between its single-color body and its intricately patchworked wings.
Pikachu, a new take on the familiar yellow
Pikachu retains its signature yellow while incorporating vintage patterns across its body.
Its iconic features, including black-tipped ears, red cheeks and a round face, remain intact, while one ear features a bandana print.
The body combines stripes, checks and shades of yellow with different levels of saturation.
Various patterns also appear on its back and tail, revealing different design details depending on the viewing angle.
Keeping its familiar silhouette while changing the colors and patterns of its fabric, Pikachu neatly captures the design direction of this collaboration.
Revisiting childhood memories
The collaboration also draws on Sean Wotherspoon’s personal memories.
In an official announcement, he recalled collecting Pokémon cards as a child, watching the animated series every weekend and playing Pokémon games on his Game Boy.
He said Pokémon remains an important part of his life as an adult, and he now shares that experience with his children.
He said his six-year-old self could never have imagined getting the chance to collaborate with Pokémon, underscoring what this project means to him.
For Sean Wotherspoon, who has long translated the stories embedded in old objects and culture into design, this collaboration was also an opportunity to connect his childhood memories with his current work.
The designs, which apply colors and patterns found in old clothing to Pokémon, reflect that background as well.
Official South Korean release on October 27
First unveiled in Japan in July and released in the United States in September, the collaboration collection from Sean Wotherspoon and the Pokémon Center is finally coming to South Korea.
In South Korea, Tuesday, October 27, at noonFrom then, it will be available at the official Pokémon Store online mall and Naver Store.
