ASICS X Kiko Kostadinov – Ub8-s Gt-2160

Curated style by Kiko Kostadinov Studio and ASICS SportStyle development team. The UB8-S GT-2160™ sneaker draws inspiration from the themes of Interlaced Assemblages, Functional Utopias, and Mino Ceramics.

The capsule continues to build upon the philosophy and design language seen throughout the partnership to date with some new concepts brough to the fore via materiality and colour honouring the heritage of ASICS’ past, whilst mapping the future of footwear

Soft textures are combined with the idea of handcrafted elements found in iconic artwork. By creating matte and washed colour appearances, the design team was able to enhance the heritage running shoe’s archival shape and construction.

Contrasted with grid-like patterns and bold opaque colours, the Functional Utopia inspired variations apply direct correlations with nature. These glossy primary colourways are offset with metallic structures that accentuate the double-layer mesh materialisation.

The designers also explored Mino ceramics influences (the dominant style of ceramics in Japan) by investigating the contemporary processes of the rust-like qualities that appear in Mino glazes. This process looks to imagery as a vessel with degraded colours that have the ability to stand the test of time.

• Sleek and wavy aesthetic is symbolic of the GT-2000™ series’ technical design language
• GEL™ technology inserts in the midsole for advanced cushioning underfoot
• Segmented midsole design is symbolic of ASICS running shoes in the 2010s