Shining a Torch on Bodega’s ASICS GEL-NYC ‘After Hours’
have been around the block long enough to know what happens once the lights go out. Originally only accessible via a secret door behind an actual Bodega, the retailer are leaning into their surreptitious stylings for their latest collaboration, the ‘After Dark’, paying homage to downtown underbellies. We linked up with Bodega’s lead designer, Andrew White, to shine a light on the latest collaboration.
What were some of the opportunities and challenges when working on the GEL-NYC model?
There was great opportunity and few challenges in working on the GEL-NYC. The biggest challenge was probably determining what was just enough and when to call it quits. The silhouette has so much depth through its layered construction and the shapes that present themselves across the upper. Seeing the plans for the model allowed us to carve out a colour palette that was true to us and could stand out amongst what ASICS already had going on with the silhouette.
Let's dive into some of the material choices.
For any shoe I work on, there are reference points, but nothing is ever too literal. Really, I just take time to look at the shapes and composition of materials that may have through lines with familiar elements we cross in our everyday life. The grey diamond spacer mesh kind of comes across as a chain-link fence, while the white-tipped suede reminds me of winter in the north-east, as it resembles dirty snow on city sidewalks. The ASICS stripes being a slick translucent synthetic and the upper overlays in nubuck give a really smooth and tidied finish to the more textural materials they are placed on top of.
The glow of the street lights and neon signs are another really strong design element. Can you unpack the colour palette?
Over the mostly neutral uppers, the use of hot coral really stands out and has a fluorescent property that sort of pops in neon glow fashion (the secondary laces can be subbed in for those that want even more pop). Going deeper down that path of light at night, we also incorporated 3M reflective on the laces and heel tabs. These elements over the darker neutral brown and grey backdrop really allow the details to shine and become a focal point of the design along with the olive and purple hits.
As part of the release, Bodega talked about ‘tapping into references not often brought up in design conversations’. Can you elaborate on this idea? What made Bodega want to venture into subterranean NYC?
It always starts with a feeling, and oftentimes that’s how we arrive at a tagline or nickname. ‘After Hours’ feels like downtown at night – neon reflecting off puddles on the sidewalk and things we’ve seen in our lives. We’re channelling a familiar energy or reference points. ‘After Hours’ can be interpreted in a myriad of ways depending on your lifestyle. That’s an important aspect too – leaving things just open enough for people to fill in the blanks.
The GEL-NYC really exudes a Y2K feel thanks to the strong 2000s DNA of the model. Why do you think more and more people are gravitating toward these styles in 2023?
I think people are becoming more open to different styles in general now. In a landscape that feels sort of homogenised with social media and such, people want to continue to distinguish themselves stylistically. There are also many parallels to where we are at now and where things were during Y2K – the levels of uncertainty globally, technological advancements moving at a wild pace, etc. With that, people are trying to have more fun in general and not take themselves too seriously. That’s the energy that Y2K carries to me and it seems fitting for where things are at currently.
The Bodega x ASICS GEL-NYC ‘After Hours’ lands on September 29.
For more on Bodega, make sure to check out the of the Boston brand.