BEAUTIFULLY SAID X CASANOVA VINTAGE TAKE OVER SOLEBOX PARIS [22/01]
Beautifully Said x Casanova Vintage – From London to Tokyo: How Thierry Tek and Naoto Watanabe turned Solebox Paris into a global sanctuary for Japanese archives and contemporary romanticism.
Paris Fashion Week is often a whirlwind of fleeting moments, but the collaboration between London-based label Beautifully Said and Tokyo’s Casanova Vintage felt like something built to last. Transforming the iconic Solebox Café Inn into an immersive cultural hub, the takeover was less of a retail pop-up and more of a celebration of brotherhood, bridging the gap between European romance and Japanese archival mastery.
At its heart, this activation was a personal milestone for Thierry Tek, the Founder and Creative Director of Beautifully Said. Having navigated the fashion industry for a decade with the same resilience his parents showed when fleeing war in Vietnam and Cambodia, Thierry has carved out a space defined by “misunderstood beauty.” By partnering with Naoto Watanabe of Casanova Vintage, the duo turned Solebox into a global meeting point for collectors and creators alike.
A LOVE LETTER TO THE CRAFT
The collaboration centred on an exclusive capsule of limited-edition merchandise, specifically curated for the PFW crowd. The offering was a masterclass in balance:
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Beautifully Said’s refined design language and contemporary silhouettes.
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Casanova Vintage’s meticulous sourcing of rare Japanese gems.
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Co-branded apparel that served as a physical manifestation of the founders’ friendship.
For Thierry, the work is deeply intertwined with his passion for Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While some see combat sports as brutal, Beautifully Said translates the discipline, humility, and respect of the dojo into premium lifestyle pieces. It isn’t just gear for fighters; it’s a “love letter” to anyone seeking confidence and self-expression.
“This is my love letter to Fashion and Martial Arts.” — Thierry Tek
DINNER WITH THE FAMILY
To round off the high-energy activation, the duo hosted an intimate dinner that brought the Beautifully Said x Casanova Vintage community together. Surrounded by friends and family of the label, the evening served as a reminder that beyond the hype of the runways, fashion is at its best when it facilitates genuine connection.
The takeover proved that Solebox Paris is more than just a destination for footwear—it is a space where narrative and artefact coexist. In a week filled with noise, Beautifully Said reminded us of a simple, powerful truth: true style begins within.
THE CREATIVE PULSE: BEAUTIFULLY SAID
Based in London for over a decade, Beautifully Said is the brainchild of Thierry Tek, a Creative Director whose work is an exercise in emotional resilience. Drawing from his heritage—his parents fled conflict in Vietnam and Cambodia—Thierry’s design language is rooted in the “spirit of a fighter and the soul of a romantic.” Since 2018, his obsession with Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has shifted the brand’s focus toward a “misunderstood beauty.”
Rather than focusing on the violence of combat, Beautifully Said champions the discipline, respect, and humility found within the dojo. It is a premium lifestyle label that translates the technicality of martial arts into contemporary fashion, reminding its community that true strength is found in self-love and inner character.
ARCHIVAL MASTERY: CASANOVA VINTAGE
Hailing from the heart of Tokyo’s legendary vintage scene, Casanova Vintage is globally recognised for its meticulous curation of rare Japanese artefacts. Led by Naoto Watanabe, the boutique has become a pilgrimage site for collectors seeking pieces that tell a story beyond the fabric. Watanabe’s eye for detail and historical significance has positioned Casanova as a titan of the archival world, bridging the gap between historical garments and modern street culture. By bringing this deep archive to Paris, Watanabe continues to demonstrate that vintage is not just about the past, but about providing a foundational narrative for the future of global style.
Keep up with the journey:
