Central Saint Martins graduate Kiko Kostadinov has only been presenting on the schedule for four seasons but has already begun to establish himself within the industry. In addition to his own label – which he presents in London – he also designs for the Mackintosh 0001 line as its first creative director. His latest venture is with footwear brands ASICS, creating a new shoe that blends two of its silhouettes. 

“ASICS has been a big part of the way I’ve dressed for the last five years,” Kostadinov told us on why he wanted to work on the collab. “There is something so versatile about their iconic silhouettes.” The brand has kept its momentum over the years, particularly recently with the penchant for dad-inspired wear. Keen-eyed fans will note that the new shoes link back to Kostadinov’s SS18 collection in their colouring. “The initial reference for the colour story came from an exhibition by Julian Charrière at Parasol Unit,” the designer explained. “(He) used different salt blocks from Salar de Uyuni and lithium brine in different colours.”

Combining one of ASICS current styles with another that he loved (but was sadly discontinued), the idea of deconstruction was key to the collaboration and manifests itself in the accompanying video directed by Bafic, with art direction from Dazed’s Jamie Andrew Reid. It further explores the make-up of the shoe, with gloved-wearing hands handling and manipulating different parts of it before the completed product is revealed at the end. 

Alongside the video that will feature at the collaboration’s launch, the idea of deconstruction will be continued via an installation that will feature the shoe broken down, dissected and stretched out on perspex. No doubt, the shoes will also appear at Kostadinov’s upcoming AW18 collection that he will present during LFWM on January 7. 

Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS launches today at DSM London.