Peek the first two styles arriving globally on 27 April
Photos: Asics and Vivienne Westwood
We’re living in the time of streetwear and high-fashion collaborations. And when those two fashion worlds come together, that’s when we get some of the most exciting creations. Take the newly announced ASICS and Vivienne Westwood team-up for example; when we saw the upcoming sneaker styles from their capsule collection, the collab immediately shot up to the top of our favourites list.
It is the first time that ASICS and Vivienne Westwood are doing a collection together, and they have decided to make it a big one by producing five limited-edition sneaker designs drawing on the styles of the ASICS and ASICSTIGER collections. All the five new styles will be released over 2019, while the first two – reboots of the ASICS GEL-Kayano 5 OG and the ASICSTIGER GEL-Mai Knit MT – drop tomorrow, 27 April.
Check out the teaser video for the first two sneaker styles:
Perhaps it’s not too surprising that the signature Vivienne Westwood styles take so well to the performance sports designs of ASICS. The British brand may technically be a luxury designer label, but it has made a name for itself in defining punk fashion, and punk definitely lends itself well to streetwear. Westwood’s husband and the brand’s Creative Director, Andreas Kronthaler, is a big fan of ASICS and ASICSTIGER sneakers, and we think it really shows in how he stays true to their core art when reimagining them for this new collaborative collection.
The ASICS x Vivienne Westwood styles breathe new life into classic and popular ASICS shoes, starting with this super vibrant and eye-catching recreation of the ASICS GEL-Kayano 5 OG:
First released by ASICS in 1999, and quickly becoming one of the brand’s most popular shoes, the GEL-Kayano 5 OG has a retro feel to its shape and design. Its original colourways, though, never really stood out for us. Now, with the addition of a rich red and orange palette, plus streaks of electric blue, the sneaker somehow looks even more retro and futuristic-style modern at the same time! Such bold colours are no stranger to Vivienne Westwood; they are in fact inspired by one of the original colourways of the Vivienne Westwood archive Squiggle print. Look out for the iconic Vivienne Westwood multi-coloured orb logo embroidered on the back of the shoe!
The ASICS x Vivienne Westwood GEL-Kayano 5 OG will retail for S$289.
The signature Vivienne Westwood motifs are more obvious in the other style, which reimagines the GEL-Mai Knit MT. Here, the brand’s archive Squiggle print are used again, this time in its original red and white contrasting colourway. The lines draw out the unique asymmetric lacing design of the ASICSTIGER shoe, as well as the ankle-high length of the sock-fit knit upper connected to a sturdy white leather overlay. Besides the big Vivienne Westwood name printed on pull tabs, the brand also has its orb logo embroidered on the back of the shoe.
The ASICS x Vivienne Westwood GEL-Mai Knit MT will retail for S$339.
It’s notable that the collaborative collection also brings back the performance features of the shoes. Kronthaler was particularly drawn to working with ASICS due to the sportswear brand’s dedication to performance, even over style. This partnership with Vivienne Westwood sure enhances their style factor.
Kronthaler says, “ASICS are brilliant technicians – known for their expertise, they are the best in their field. We love the look of their trainers because they are form following function – which attracted us to this collaboration. We wanted to create something real. They are not just decoration or a fashion statement- they are functional. With this collaboration we wanted to bring together both.”
For those more into lifestyle sneakers, this other purportedly upcoming GEL-Saga reimagination from the collab might just be your thing. There’s no official word from ASICS and Vivienne Westwood about this particular style and when it will be released yet, but we’re totally digging the Renaissance art design.
The first two styles from the ASICS x Vivienne Westwood capsule collection will be available on 27 April 2019, exclusively (for Singapore) from Vivienne Westwood and ASICS Plaza Singapura stores, and online at www.viviennewestwood.com/.
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