In recent years, the Bulgarian-born fashion designer Kiko Kostadinov and the Japanese brand Asics have presented us with an interesting number of pairs of collaborative shoes (articles available on this site). The release of Kostadinov’s latest creation for the Autumn/Winter 2020 season, the Asics GEL-Kiril 2, sealed the end of this successful collaborative relationship between the two labels. However and against all expectations, Kiko Kostadinov and Asics announce today a partnership over several seasons and start with a new project : the re-imagined UB1-S GEL-Kayano 14.
The redesigned silhouettes and creations by Kiko Kostadinov in collaboration with Asics have been a great success and have inspired the Asics team designers for their own collection. Therefore, Kostadinov will play a broader role in the Japanese brand, working alongside the Asics SportStyle division as creative manager. Kostadinov’s team will advise and help Asics to always innovate in materials and design, and to develop new concepts.
The first opus of this partnership is presented to us today, the UB1-S GEL-Kayano 14 silhouette reinvented and declined in 2 colorways.
One is in a neutral vintage color with a palette of colors ranging from white to black, bluish grey and greenish accents. The other is more bold with touches of bright orange and pink colors on a light silvery grey base. The shoes with a technical shape consist of a mesh upper with leather and synthetic overlays. Reinforcements in the forefoot and heel ensure Kostadinov’s design as well as Asics performance during runs. The emblematic tiger stripes on the side panels are highlighted by their contrasting colors. A long tongue pull and two-tone laces complete the look. The whole is based on a greenish technical sole for the more understated pair, and pink and white for the pop-colored shoe.
The UB1-GEL Kayano 14, redesigned by Kiko Kostadinov and inaugurating the partnership with Asics, will be available in November 2020 at selected retailers and on asics.com.
