Asics UB9-S Gel-Kayano 20 by kiko Kostadinov

Designed by Kiko Kostadinov Studio and the ASICS SportStyle development team, the UB10-S GEL-KAYANO 20 shoe is inspired by the themes of intertwined assemblages, functional utopias, and Mino ceramics.

Designed by Kiko Kostadinov Studio and the ASICS SportStyle development team, the shoe combines soft textures with handcrafted elements inspired by iconic artwork. By adding matte and faded color accents to the design, the design team showcased the silhouette and structure of the archival running shoe.

Contrasting with grid patterns and bold opaque colors, the variations inspired by the theme of functional utopias maintain a direct connection with nature. The bright hues are offset by metallic structures that highlight the double-layered mesh silhouette.

The designers also drew inspiration from Mino ceramics, studying the rust-effect finishes found on the glazes produced in this traditional craft. The current processes used result in vessels with graduated hues that will be passed down from generation to generation.