Mikio Sakabe's Grounds Showcases Bulbous Sneaker Shapes for SS21
Exaggerated running shoes sit on overblown outsoles.
Japanese designer Mikio Sakabe has been around the block but nothing that the designer’s ever done has created a splash similar to his footwear label, Grounds. From Walter Van Beirendonck collaborations to pop-ups in Tokyo, Grounds has built up quite a buzz despite its young age (its former iteration, Giddy Up, only launched a few years ago) and is capitalizing upon that upwards momentum with a playful lookbook that introduces its Spring/Summer 2021 sneaker silhouettes.
Despite a limited selection of shapes, Grounds makes the most of its unique models with bold colors and cutting-edge textiles. Its Jewelry boasts two-inch tall bubbles beneath a lightweight knit upper that allows for full freedom of movement, while the Interstellar streamlines the sneaker with a ridged sole that curves and warps like an alien landscape. Each model is offered in neutral black, white and grey shades but there are plenty of bold red, blue, green and earth tones that appear throughout, occasionally realized with “tape” application or in a mid-cut silhouette but always finished with helpful ankle pulls that make for easy access.
Visit Grounds’ website and stockists like UJ-NG to shop the chunky new styles, though some of the Van Beirendonck styles are also available at Dover Street Market locations.
Other stylized seasonal shoe imagery appeared in Suicoke’s own SS21 lookbook.
