Kiko Kostadinov Studio and ASICS UB6-S GT-2160
In a move away from the typical sneaker collab that we see brand’s and designers take, ASICS and Kiko Kostadinov have instead entered into a long-term partnership founded upon the principles of balancing each contributors design language.
Bulgarian designer Kiko Kostadinov debuted his first footwear collaboration with Japanese sportswear giant ASICS in his Spring/Summer '18 menswear show. Kiko, the creative director of his self-titled label and of Mackintosh 0001, has placed himself as the technical reinventor of uniforms and workwear, which he brings proudly in this ASICS partnership. He was named one of Forbes Europe’s 30 Under 30 in the arts and a semifinalist for the LVMH prize in 2019 and has worked with Camper and Stüssy.
ASICS and Kiko have produced multiple sneaker models over the past four years, with Kostadinov’s multi-year partnership that sees his team working closely with ASICS designers, curating around ten styles per season across various price points for the SportStyle line. The duo resumes their curational series for SS24, releasing new models between February and May, and the UB6-S GT-2160 falls within this line-up.
This innovative redesign of the beloved GT-2160 model from the GT-2000 series, originally launched in the early 2010s, seamlessly marries functionality with a contemporary design, giving us a sneaker that pays homage to its roots while highlighting design and performance.
This drop seeks to push the envelope, experimenting further with colour, material and performance- researching landscapes, terrain and natural phenomena that inspired the icy colourway and silhouettes. Re-enacting how nature blend into and co-operate with each other, this model features matte and iridescent textures, glossy finishes, and blended patterns – design elements which have become a signature style of this duo.
“From day one, ASICS showed an openness and willingness towards the new ideas and new directions that the Kiko Kostadinov design team presented to them. Their trust in our vision is what has made this partnership such a success. We are deeply honored to be building further on this partnership with this new developmental initiative. It will allow us to integrate deeper within the ASICS brand, beyond relying on yesterday’s models of collaboration – affording us the space to approach our work through a more considered filter, with an eye towards tomorrow.”- KIKO KOSTADINOV ON HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH ASICS
With these ASICS footwear products no longer being co-branded, the new initiative between Kostadinov and ASICS signals a significant shift away hyped collaborations that is synonymous with streetwear culture. The absence of typical ‘designer x brand’ has its benefits, as both designer and brand bring their respective audiences cult-following, like with Teddy Santis’ and New Balance's ‘Made in USA’ partnership.
The Asics UB6-S GT-2160 in 'Arctic Blue' drops on Friday, the 26th of April, for R2799.
Available online at 8am, in Cape Town store at 8:30am and in Joburg store at 10am.
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