END. Looks to Japan With New ASICS Collaboration
A whole sneaker dedicated to wasabi.
After a string of recent collaborations with the likes of HAVEN and asphaltgold, ASICS has now recruited UK-based retailer END. for a joint release. For the collaborative GEL-LYTE III, END. has taken inspiration from Japanese cuisine with the ingredient wasabi being referenced in both the sneaker’s name and colorway.
As well as the “Seafoam Green” of the pigskin nubuck upper, the sneaker also features “Gunmental Gray” ASICS branding — a nod to the rocky where wasabi traditionally grows — and touches of “Tropical Peach” to reference the traditional sashimi, wasabi and pink pickled ginger combination. Elsewhere, the sneaker comes with signature GEL cushioning and split tongue, as well as an END. Japanese character on the tongue, dual-branded leather footbed and heel patch.
The food influence even continues to the packaging, with the END. x ASICS GEL-LYTE IIIs coming in a custom bento box along with an END. branded wasabi bowl and chopsticks. You can register now for the sneakers via a raffle on the END. web store, with the collaboration set to drop on March 8.
In other footwear news, Nike has recruited ex-Louis Vuitton designer Kim Jones to design a new pair of football boots.
