DAGGER x United Arrows & Sons: From “All the Best” to Tokyo

In the fast-evolving world of contemporary streetwear, few stories resonate as authentically as that of DAGGER. The Berlin-based label, founded in 2020 by Luke Rainey (often styled as Raine in some contexts), has carved a niche by transforming personal adversity into a bold, unapologetic brand identity. Now, DAGGER is making a significant stride into the Japanese market through an exclusive collection with United Arrows & Sons, one of Tokyo’s most respected and influential retailers. This partnership debuts a tightly edited six-piece capsule collection—photographed by Rainey himself—that distills the brand’s rebellious spirit, DIY ethos, and signature slogan into wearable anthems of resilience.

The capsule, available exclusively at United Arrows & Sons’ Shibuya location starting April 24, 2026, represents more than just another drop—it signals DAGGER’s growing global footprint and its affinity for markets that value quality, narrative, and cultural depth. United Arrows & Sons, with its concept-store approach blending street-influenced culture and generational craftsmanship, provisions a unique stage. Known for curating premium selections that reinterpret Western influences through a Japanese lens, the retailer has long championed emerging voices that push boundaries while honoring authenticity.

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At the mid of this collection—and indeed the entire DAGGER universe—lies the slogan “all the best.” It’s not marketing fluff; it’s born from raw experience. In 2020, amid the chaos of the global pandemic, Luke Rainey found himself unemployed after losing his job in the retail sector. The termination letter, a standard corporate formality, ended with the polite but hollow sign-off: “We wish you all the best with your professional future and personal well-being.”

 

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The name DAGGER itself draws from pagan ritual symbolism—a ceremonial blade representing transformation, endings, and new chapters. Rainey, who grew up in Portrush, a working-class seaside town in Northern Ireland, infused the brand with the gritty, DIY spirit of his teenage years: skate culture, scraped knees, cracked pavements, and midnight adventures. Clothes that look lived-in, worn proud, and unpretentious. This origin story isn’t backstory—it’s the DNA woven into every garment.

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The six-piece DAGGER x United Arrows & Sons capsule stays true to this ethos while nodding to its new home. Central is the return of the “core” T-shirt in two exclusive colorways tailored for the collect. These tees maintain the signature washed, broken-in feel that fans love—soft, comfortable, and evocative of well-worn favorites—while incorporating fresh details that pop against the retailer’s aesthetic.

Complementing the tees is a two-piece tracksuit in DAGGER’s hallmark washed tones. These aren’t your average sweats; they feature bold neon orange and pink logos that inject energy and vibrancy. The colors align with United Arrows & Sons’ key palette, creating a harmonious yet disruptive fusion—subtle heritage washes meeting electric, contemporary flair. Matching caps complete the look, carrying the same neon branding and “all the best” motif. The phrase appears prominently across the collection, serving as both a graphic element and a philosophical thread.

Rainey personally shot the campaign, bringing an intimate, founder’s-eye perspective to the visuals. The imagery captures models within Tokyo’s urban landscape—Shibuya’s bustling energy, concrete backdrops, neon lights—mirroring the brand’s roots in street life while celebrating its Japanese debut. The photos feel raw, personal, and cinematic, much like DAGGER’s overall output. There is no overproduced gloss here; it’s about real movement and real attitude.

This limited offering underscores scarcity and exclusivity—key pillars in streetwear—but also cultural exchange. Japan has a rich history of embracing and elevating global streetwear, from early adopters of American and European labels to homegrown giants that blend minimalism with bold graphics. United Arrows & Sons’ selection of DAGGER speaks to the brand’s maturing appeal: not just hype-driven, but narrative-rich and quality-focused.

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Luke Rainey isn’t a fashion school graduate with industry connections; he’s a self-starter who bootstrapped from necessity. His Northern Irish upbringing in the early 2000s shaped a love for skate culture and rebellious self-expression. Money was tight, but creativity wasn’t. That resourcefulness shines through DAGGER’s collections, which often feature heavyweight fabrics, thoughtful distressing, and graphics that resonate emotionally.

Post-founding, Rainey has steered the brand through organic growth: pop-ups, independent drops, and runway presentations like the “Play Hard” collection at Berlin Fashion Week, rooted in his coastal hometown experiences. Collaborations with platforms like Dover Street Market and features in outlets such as Highsnobiety and Sleek Magazine have amplified visibility without diluting the core. The addition of co-owner Marvin Lobodda (also his fiancé) has solidified the brand as a family endeavor, emphasizing community and shared vision.

Rainey’s approach is “emotionally intelligent” fashion—clothes that speak to resilience, identity, and the beauty of imperfection. In interviews, he discusses queering skatewear, owning personal narratives, and creating for those who feel like outsiders. The “all the best” slogan resonates universally: a sarcastic jab at corporate indifference turned into empowerment. It appears on belts with metal studs, tees, hoodies, and now this Japan-exclusive capsule.

 

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United Arrows, founded in 1989 by Osamu Shigematsu, revolutionized Japanese retail by reinterpreting Western fashion through a local sensibility. The & Sons line-up extends this with a street-savvy, generational focus—elevated basics, thoughtful curation, and spaces that function as cultural hubs rather than mere stores. The Shibuya PARCO location, where the capsule lands, sits in one of Tokyo’s key trend epicenters: a crossroads of fashion, youth culture, and innovation.

For DAGGER, this isn’t entry-level expansion; it’s strategic alignment. Japan appreciates craftsmanship, limited drops, and brands with soul. Previous United Arrows stops (with adidas, among others) demonstrate their ability to spotlight voices that add depth. The neon orange and pink accents cleverly tie into the retailer’s palette, making the pieces feel bespoke rather than simply imported.

This move strengthens DAGGER’s presence in Asia amid a broader international push. From Berlin runways to Tokyo shelves, the brand bridges European grit with Japanese precision—washed fabrics meeting meticulous retail presentation.

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DAGGER shows no signs of slowing. With Berlin Fashion Week presentations, ongoing drops, and now a deeper foothold in Japan, the future unfolds in chapters rather than endpoints. Rainey’s vision—transformation through the dagger’s blade—applies to the brand itself: evolving without dulling its edge.

This capsule is not a destination but a milestone. “All the best” is not a farewell—it is a provocation, a continuation. For those stepping into United Arrows & Sons in Shibuya, the collection offers more than garments; it offers a narrative worn across continents. For DAGGER, it is validation: the underdog’s blade cuts sharpest.

In an industry often chasing trends, DAGGER reminds us of fashion’s deeper potential—to transform personal history into shared culture. United Arrows & Sons provides the platform; Rainey supplies the soul. The result is a collection that wishes you all the best—while looking damn good doing it.