Introducing Sukeban, The Most Stylish Female Wrestling League Out There
As they land in Berlin, fashion designer Olympia Le-Tan talks about melding fashion, art and sport in the ring.
If sugar, spice and everything nice made the Powerpuff Girls, then the ingredients for Sukeban — the Japanese women’s wrestling league — are power, latex, and everything Harajuku. Founded in 2022 by celebrated designer Olympia Le-Tan, her brother-in-law Alex Detrick and Ian Fried, Sukeban is equal parts sport, fashion show, and performance art — pure entertainment at its finest.
“We just had to show it to the rest of the world,” Le-Tan explains of Detrick’s pitch to take this niche wrestling genre global. “I basically knew nothing about wrestling, but I did know a lot about Japan, so it was interesting and exciting for me to do something different.”
And different it is—in all the best ways. To date, Sukeban has toured New York, LA, Miami, and London, with Berlin up next and Mexico City hopefully on the horizon. Part of its magic lies in the many layers of interest, offering multiple entry points for a curious audience. Love anime and Japanese culture? There are plenty of references. Obsessed with fashion? Just wait until you see Bingo’s frilly latex mask. Into makeup? Past guest artists have included legends like Dame Pat McGrath, Isamaya Ffrench, and Andrew Dahling, of Chappell Roan fame. Passionate about strong women and compelling storytelling? Sukeban delivers that in spades.
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“Sukeban wasn’t originally a term connected with wrestling,” Le-Tan tells Hypebae about the league’s name. “When we decided to create this league, I looked at it from a gang standpoint—different rivalries. Originally, ‘Sukeban’ was a term for female delinquent gangs in ’60s and ’70s Japan — the female Hells Angels, if you will. They defied the patriarchy, wore long school uniforms to conceal weapons, and embroidered their gang names on their jackets.” The name, Le-Tan explains, delighted legendary wrestler Bull Nakano—one of Japan’s most famous athletes and Sukeban’s commissioner—who was an OG Sukeban herself. That rebellious spirit has shaped both the league’s wrestlers and their costumes.
The wrestlers had only one request for Le-Tan: “We just need [costumes] to be stretchy,” she recalls. Latex—chosen as much for its striking aesthetic as for its signature sound — was the perfect solution. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Sukeban features four distinct girl gangs, loosely following the classic battle of good versus evil—except this one plays out in the ring. The Vandals are “society’s rejects,” says Le-Tan. “Very punk, like Vivienne Westwood-meets-Joker.” Dangerous Liaisons? “They’re the evil royal family of Sukeban—glam Gothic.” The Cherry Bomb Girls? “Very cool, ’90s hip-hop girls, inspired by TLC and Salt-N-Pepa.” And the Harajuku Stars, as their name suggests, “they’re very cute, very kawaii—think cotton candy school uniforms, but made of latex.” Then there’s Stray Cat. “She’s our lone ranger, still figuring out where she belongs.”
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Beyond the gangs, each wrestler has a completely unique aesthetic, shaped by their personality, makeup, style, and story. Collaborations are also a key part of Sukeban’s identity (and intrigue). Le-Tan’s team has worked with independent fashion brands like Soft Skin Latex, milliner Stephen Jones, visual artist Ayako Ishiguro, cult nail artist Mei Kawajiri, and even industrial designer Marc Newson—who designed the championship belt. (Yes, the same Marc Newson behind the Apple Watch.)
But beyond fashion, beauty and athletics, Sukeban resonates for one simple reason: it’s about women supporting women. “I hope spectators find a wrestler they connect with and leave excited about what’s next for that character,” says Le-Tan. “Ultimately, I want to bring back the era of girls being fans of amazing girls.”
Scroll through the gallery above to see the artistry of Sukeban in action, and visit their website to find out more about their next event.
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