Asics unveils four exciting collaborations during Paris Fashion Week
Call yourself a sneakerhead? These creative partnerships are a must-know.
Having showcased its collaborations during Paris Fashion Week for over five years in a row now, Asics is no stranger to the fashion event, and this year, the brand continues to champion innovation and creativity with its SportStyle pop-up.
Housed in a minimal space that let the footwear take centre stage, the three-day event spotlighted some of its most well-loved models in new-and-improved versions. Enter the Gel-Quantum 360™ VIII which features the new FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning, the GT-2160™ that pays homage to the GT-2000™ series in the early 2010s, and the recently unveiled Gel-Nimbus 10.1 which are equal parts futuristic and functional.
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the four thrilling collaborations that take footwear design to the next level. Cecilia Bahnsen, Kengo Kuma and Up There may be names one’s familiar with, seeing how it’s not their first team-up with Asics, but trust us when we say that the latest designs are equally — if not more — noteworthy. Doublet is the new kid on the block, releasing its highly anticipated Asics sneakers during its Autumn/Winter 2024 show earlier this year. The partnerships are where art, design and functionality beautifully merge, and you don’t have to be a sneakerhead to be able to appreciate these kicks.
Cecilie Bahnsen
Newsflash: The Gel-Quantum 360 VIII™ series is now available in a women’s model, thanks to Copenhagen-based brand Cecilie Bahnsen. Having collaborated for the third time now, the designer took things up a notch by transforming the classic sneaker into a sandal silhouette. Her signature sophisticated and feminine aesthetic is beautifully integrated into the footwear. The design features a two-tone mesh upper with 5D printed overlays and two velcro straps adorned with floral decorations, reminiscent of the previous GT-2160™ collaboration. It also has a translucent outsole that showcases a delicate floral print. Like the campaign visuals starring Danish gymnast Frida Lund, the shoes embody the perfect mix of strength and grace.
Kengo Kuma
The third collaboration between Asics and renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, might just be their best one yet. Named the Archisite ORU, the shoes reflect Kuma's philosophy of providing new value through the ethics of design, and they’re designed to allow one to seamlessly transition between different environments. “ORU”, in particular, is named after the art of origami. Design-wise, the sneakers mainly take inspiration from the Fuji Lite 2, complete with an upper featuring a Yatara cross-weave pattern and a cool reversible lacing system. The pop of bright orange is the icing on the cake.
Doublet
Founded by Masayuki Ono, Tokyo-based label Doublet unveils not one but two designs as part of its first collaboration with Asics. The Gel-Kayano™ 20 model is arguably the most talked-about design of the night, thanks to the eye-catching colour way and details that emulate not any cardboard boxes, but Asics’ inline shoe box. The upper is accented with product specifications and the Ortholite™ label, and each pair comes with additional blue shoelaces that resemble the vinyl tape used for assembling cardboard boxes, lending a playful touch.
Up There
Melbourne-based fashion and sneaker boutique Up There unveiled its third collaboration with Asics. Instead of focusing solely on shoes, the team-up also includes an accompanying apparel collection. This round, the founder trio explored the relationship between the natural and man-made worlds, incorporating synthetic materials with an organic colour palette. The Gel-Terrain™ kicks are splashed in lavender, while they continue to feature the classic details including the FLYTEFOAM™ cushioning and GEL™ technology. The collection was presented as an art installation where the boundaries between living and non-living things are blurred.
