AFEW Store: Brief History & Past Collabs
The AFEW STORE, founded in 2008 and based in Düsseldorf, has grown to became an international power-house in the sneaker world. AFEW are known for limited and exclusive sneakers, similar to us. Over the years, the brand has had the honour of collaborating with brands such as Nike, adidas, New Balance, KangaROOS and most recently, ASICS. With such a rich history and the ASICS 'Uplifting' Pack around the corner (18 June), let's take a look at some of AFEW's past collaborations.
AFEW x Nike Flyknit Lunar2 Lux 'V' (2014)
Let's start with a rare one. In 2014, AFEW dropped an extremely limited release of their Flyknit Lunar. Of the 15 produced, only 10 were available to the public by way of a silent auction through Klekt auction services, with all proceeds going directly to Kinderhospiz-Regenbogenland (a children’s hospice). The remaining five pairs were be distributed to friends and family of the Germany-based boutique.
AFEW x adidas Superstar (2015)
Celebrating the Superstar 30th anniversary, AFEW went all out and applied a wooden Shell-toe to the iconic model. The streetwear boutique enlisted local artist Ivan Beslic to transform one of the three stripes’ most well-known models into a piece of art in an homage to hip-hop history, basketball, and skate culture. Utilizing a crisp white leather upper, a suede tongue leads into the platane-wood Shell-toe while some of Beslic’s original prints serve as the insole.
AFEW x KangaROOS Coil R-1 'Peanut Butter' (2014)
Starting the KangoROOS collabs was the Peanut Butter Coil R-1 in 2014. This KangaROOS arrived in a noble brown and white colourway, featuring a brown-based waxed calfskin leather upper with goatskin lining and custom insoles.
AFEW x ASICS GEL-Lyte III 'Koi'
Probably the most recognisable AFEW release to date, the 1990 split-tongued retro runner featured a premium suede construction full of micro-perforations, with tonal greys, wooden lace eyelets, and a contrasting deep red toe box.
AFEW x KangaROOS Omnicoil II 'Jelly' (2016)
Two years after the Peanut Butter, AFEW left their mark on the Omnicoil II Jelly. Complimenting the Peanut Butter, the pair features a strawberry jelly look in extremely premium quality with 'Made in Germany' leathers. The luxurious presentation features a sweet mix of strawberry red suede and leather with peanut butter brown leather wrapping the heel and interior. On the inside of the tongue, you’ll find the famous KangaROOS pocket for a handy place to hide any small valuables, while a jam graphic adorns the insoles. AFEW didn’t just give the shoe itself an amazing presentation, but each pair also came in a special acrylic “jam” box and was accompanied by an actual jar of jelly.
AFEW x KangaROOS Coil R1 'Mighty Forest' (2018)
Following on from the Jelly and Peanut Butter was the Might Forest Coil R1. Handcrafted in Germany, the sneaker features an upper made of premium calf suede and calf leather. A deep green base colour and brown accents on the heel perfectly capture the forest theme. On the inside, a mesh and leather lining, as well as an anti-bacterial, breathable and lightweight leather insole, provide great wearing comfort. And of course, the shoe came with the famous tongue pocket that’s the signature of KangaROOS. It arrived in an adorned wooden box with a “Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes” (PEFC) certificate.
AFEW x BEAMS x ASICS GEL-Lyte III - 'Orange Koi' (2018)
A three-way collab for the ages! AFEW and BEAMS teamed up with ASICS on a capsule inspired by German-Japanese friendship. The new take on the GEL-Lyte III is a sequel to AFEW's last ASICS collaboration, and comes in an “Orange Koi”-themed colourway. Referencing the cross-continental theme, the sneaker features a BEAMS logo on the left heel while the right heel features the word “Friendship” in Japanese letters. Other details include the names of the collaborating brands on the side of each shoe, and a sole featuring “Orange Koi” camouflage. The other sections of the sole unit were semi-translucent and reveal a koi fish beneath. The sneakers were launched alongside an accompanying apparel capsule from BEAMS, as well as special packaging including a bandana, incense and a history booklet.
AFEW x ASICS GEL-Lyte III - 'B.O.I' (2022)
Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, the GEL-Lyte III dropped this year and featured a number of “unrefined” or “imperfect” embellishments. “Polar Shade” and “Seagrass” animates the iconic tiger stripes on the side while pastel purple covers the lower heel’s wraparound panel. As a nod to Wabi-Sabi, the sidewall logos boasts a “wear away” finish that allows for unique textures to develop as the shoes are worn, as well as the cork insoles.
