Kiko Kostadinov Curates ASICS' Retro-Futuristic FN1-S GEL-NIMBUS 22

Back in October 2020, Kiko Kostadinov and the Japanese footwear giant ASICS announced their non-collaborative partnership that sees the designer overlook a new creative process that overhauls products with new styles, colors, materials and more. Following on from the UB1-S GEL-Kayano 14 and the HS1-S Tarther Blast comes the latest sneaker to be curated by Kostadinov, dubbed the FN1-S GEL-NIMBUS 22.

As you can tell from the name, this pair is based on ASICS’ GEL-NIMBUS 22 running shoe. However, as with every Kostadinov-curated release, the pair features a specific code before it — in this case FN1-S — which will continue sequentially throughout the duration of the partnership. With this in mind, you’ll be able to distinguish between Kiko’s pair and a standard GEL-NIMBUS before even seeing the pair.

When you do look at the sneaker, you’ll find a design inspired by the concept of “Retro Futurism.” What this means is that archival fashion silhouettes and Japanese workwear have acted as sources of inspiration alongside the world of “Future Tech,” coming together on the sneaker you see above that falls into ASICS’ realm of future and tech-forward shoes.

The sneaker itself is a blend of the past and the future, presenting a technical mesh upper that’s offset with shiny eyelets and metallic undertones. Available in two colorways, the sneaker uses a range of tones to give it a dynamic and futuristic look that sees raised embroidered nodules decorating the upper that make it look streamlined. Elsewhere, the FLYTEFOAM-equipped sole unit is split and faded, once again using colors to further add to its running shoe aesthetic, while a touch of glitter makes the pair feel special and specific to the Kiko Kostadinov curation.

In short, a lot is going on. But together, it makes for a very special pair of ASICS. Rounding out the FN1-S GEL-NIMBUS 22 is an accentuated tongue pull tab, a chrome silver or gold heel counter, and redesigned insoles that once more set this pair apart from other GEL-NIMBUS 22 sneakers.

Take a look at the ASICS FN1-S GEL-NIMBUS 22 curated by Kiko Kostadinov in the gallery above, and purchase them now on ASICS’ website now for €180 EUR each (approx. $215 USD).

In case you missed it, check out this wildly-designed ASICS NOVABLAST.