Asics Collaborations Through the Years: From Cecilie Bahnsen to Vivienne Westwood

Amina Ayoud

January 5, 2024 at 6:10 AM·7 min read

Asics has invested in collaborations with big names in the past years, including Kith, Brain Dead, Vivienne Westwood, Comme Des Garcon, JJJJound and more. The brand’s collaborations have stirred up a renewed sense of excitement surrounding the brand successfully drawing in a new generation of sneaker fans.

Founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka back in 1949, the footwear brand began with a focus on basketball shoes but branched out into many sporty fields, most notably running. Nowadays, Asics’ sneaker models are beloved for their futuristic appearances and attention to both comfort and detail, setting the footwear maker’s sneakers apart from competitors.

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Here, FN is rounding up a few of Asics’ collaborations released over the years.

Asics x Shushu Tong

Asics, sneaker, collaboration, gingham, Shushu Tong, chunky, dainty, Tarther SC Plus — Asics x Shushu Tong Tarther SC Plus sneaker in blue and white gingham.Asics

Release Date: Dec. 24, 2023
Price: N/A ($330 and up on resale sites)

Following the duo’s ever-popular 2022 collaboration, Asics and Shushu Tong came together once more at the end of 2023 to release two new sneaker silhouettes. The Tarther SC Plus model comes in a tonal black and a blue and white gingham print. Both styles featured decorative “balletcore” touches including dainty ruffles accompanied by Asics’ intersecting striped detailing on the sides. While the footwear was only launched overseas, they are available for purchase on 3rd party resale sites including StockX for $330 and above.

Asics x Cecilie Bahnsen

Asics, Cecilie Bahnsen, sneaker, blue, gray, floral, metallic, futuristic, chunky, collaboration, GT-2160 — Asics x Cecilie Bahnsen GT-2160 sneaker in blue and gray. Asics

Release Date: Nov. 15, 2023 and globally on Nov. 22, 2023
Price: $232

In the summer of 2023, Cecilie Bahnsen released her first collaboration with Asics to widespread acclaim. In November, the duo came together once again to release two new GT-2160 silhouettes, one in pink and the other in blue. Both styles mirror the feminine touch of Bahnsen’s designs married with Asics’ futuristic silhouettes including floral embellishes, mesh uppers and mixed metallics. One sneaker goes sans-laces while the other mirrors Bahnsen’s popular Mary Jane sneaker silhouette. The sneakers launched via the designer’s website on Nov. 15 and via global retailers on Nov. 22.

Asics x Brain Dead

Asics, Brain Dead, Gel-Nimbus 9, colorful, collaboration, sneaker — Asics x Brain Dead Gel-Nimbus 9 sneaker in “Rio Red.”Asics

Release Date: Jan. 24, 2023
Price: $180

Asics and Brain Dead collaborated at the beginning of 2023 to bring audiences striking Gel-Nimbus 9 in alluring “Nightshade” and “Rio Red” colorways. First released in 2007, the Nimbus 9 was originally created to cater to supinated and neutral runners. Both eye-catching silhouettes feature co-branded detailing on the tongues, mixed breathable mesh and leather uppers, hiking-inspired laces and neon accents that compliment each silhouette’s respective colorways. This drop marked the duo’s third collaboration.

Asics x Hysteric Glamour x Kiko Kostadinov

Asics, Hysteric Glamour, Kiko Kostadinov, collaboration, pink, chunky, Gel Quantum Lylia — Asics x Hysteric Glamour x Kiko Kostadinov Gel Quantum Lylia sneaker in “Cotton Candy.”Asics

Release Date: Nov. 8, 2022
Price: $290

The first of its kind on this list, the trio collaborated back in 2022 to combine elements of Asics’ archival Gel-Quantum Levitrack and the Gel-Aurania to create a new sneaker silhouette entirely. Cast in shades of pink and futuristic metallic silver, the Gel Quantum Lylia in “Cotton Candy” features mixed mesh and leather uppers accompanied by co-branding all throughout, jelly-esque soles and gray “laces” threaded through hooks. The shoes were teased on numerous occasions before finally being released at the tail end of November.

Asics x JJJJound

Asics, JJJJround, sneaker, metallic, silver, collaboration, Gel Kayano 14 — Asics x JJJJound Gel Kayano 14 sneaker in metallic silver.Asics

Release Date: Aug. 26, 2022
Price: $180

The duo came together in 2022 to drop a variety of silhouettes focusing on simplicity. The collaboration resulted in two Gel Kayano 14 colorways, one in an all-over metallic silver and the other in metallic silver and black. Both sneaker silhouettes feature mixed mesh and leather uppers accompanied by silver accents, white and cream outsoles and sleek lace-up closures. Each sneaker is finished with JJJJound branding on the heels and co-branding on the insoles.

Asics x Comme des Gar?ons Shirt

Asics, Comme des Garçons Shirt, sneaker, animal print, black and white, collaboration, Comme des Garçon, Gel Lyte V — Asics x Comme des Gar?ons Shirt Gel Lyte V sneaker in black and white animal print.Asics

Release Date: May 6, 2022
Price: $300 but differ in price on resale sites

Asics collaborated with the beloved Japanese fashion label to create two Gel Lyte V silhouettes in black and white hues. Both sneakers feature a smattering of animal print all over, accompanied by co-branded insoles, Asics branding on the tongues and heels and lace-up closures. The speckled style is not the first sneaker to come out of a collaboration between both institutions. In fact, both brands have collaborated on multiple shoe silhouettes over the years.

Asics x GmbH

Asics, GmBH Gel Chappal, laceless, slip-on, vegan leather, burgundy, sneaker, collaboration — Asics x GmBH Gel Chappal sneaker in “Burgundy.”Asics

Release Date: Dec. 10, 2020
Price: $250 or €230 but go for as much as $2,236 on resale websites

Released in collaboration with Berlin-based fashion label GmbH, Asics Gel Chappal in a rich “Burgundy” colorway is unlike anything the brand has dropped before. The laceless slip-on style is comprised of criss-crossing strap closures that draw from the chappal, a traditional South Indian shoe. The footwear is constructed of vegan leather uppers and accompanied by cushioned Gel midsoles that take after the Gel-Kinsei OG.

The “Burgundy” colorway of the collaborative shoe was released alongside a monochromatic black style featuring the same composition.

Asics x Vivienne Westwood

Asics, Vivienne Westwood, designer, British, collaboration, mesh, sneaker, Gel-Kayano 26 — Asics x Vivienne Westwood Gel-Kayano 26 sneaker in a monochrome cream.Asics

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2020
Price: $240

In collaboration with beloved British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, Asics’ Gel-Kayano 26 silhouette features a monochromatic cream colorway accompanied by a unique mesh overlay and toggle closures. The footwear draws inspiration from Westwood’s iconic sack shoe first released in the ’80s through her Nostalgia of Mud collection. The set is finished off with aerodynamic running-focused FlyteFoam midsoles equipped with gel cushioning, providing the wearer with extra comfort.

Asics x Awake NY

Asics, Awake NY, collaboration, gold, metallic, sneaker, Gel-Kayano 5 360 — Asics x Awake NY Gel-Kayano 5 360 sneaker in “Gold/Black.”Asics

Release Date: June 20, 2019 in Paris and June 25 on Awake NY’s website
Price: $180

Released in 2019, Asics and Awake NY’s collaborative Gel-Kayano 5 360 sold out in minutes of dropping, and for good reason. The sneaker silhouette was released in two unique colorways including “Mint/Silver” and “Gold/Black.” The latter is inspired by Paris while the mint and silver pull from Awake NY’s creative director Angelo Baque’s frequent visits to Flushing Meadows Park in Corona Queens when he was a child. Both sneakers include suede and mesh uppers accompanied by Awake NY’s logo embossed on the toes. The sneakers were released alongside limited-edition t-shirts and hoodies.

Asics x Ronnie Fieg

Asics, Ronnie Fieg, Kith, salmon, suede, collaboration, sneaker, Gel Lyte 3 Salmon Toe 2.0 — Asics x Ronnie Fieg Gel Lyte 3 Salmon Toe 2.0 sneaker in “Navy/Salmon.”Asics

Release Date: Nov. 22, 2016
Price: $250

The Gel Lyte 3 Salmon Toe 2.0 acts as the sequel to the Kith founder’s highly coveted Asics collaboration from 2011. Available in a striking “Navy/Salmon” colorway, the sneaker features premium nubuck and pigskin suede uppers, leather striping on the sides, custom-printed insoles and a coordinating tonal Gel technology midsole that provides the wearer with extra comfort and cushion.

The sneaker was packaged in custom packaging accompanied by Kith x Stance Crew socks, a pin set and a unique fish-shaped stress ball. The sneakers were also released alongside an alternative “Militia Initiative” sneaker colorway in green. The sneaker is sold out as of now on Kith’s website, however, it is still available for purchase via reselling websites like StockX.

About the Author

Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.