The Up There x ASICS GT-II is Arriving Stateside

News on this release was first published on May 2, 2022.

Update August 26, 2022: The Up There x ASICS GT-II is out now in the US directly from the ASICS web store. Hit the link below to cop.

Update August 15, 2022: The Up There x ASICS GT-II will be arriving Stateside soon! A date hasn't been set, but they'll be dropping via the ASICS webstore soon.

Melbourne’s premier boutique Up There are back with a new sneaker collaboration, this time linking up with long-term brand partner ASICS on the GT-II retro runner. This joint effort marks the first (and hopefully not last!) official ASICS project for the store. To celebrate this transpacific union, these kicks represent the official floral emblems of each partner’s home state and are imbued with plenty of botanical details.

ASICS are based out of the Hyogo Prefecture, which has Japanese Chrysanthemum as its official flower; Up There’s flagship location in Victoria, Australia is represented by the Pink Heath. These two distinct varieties are overtly expressed on the heels of the GT-IIs by way of embroidery on the heel counters and tongues. In their own words, ‘this botanical union is symbolic of a partnership bridging oceans and language barriers, galvanised through a decade of working together.’

The ASICS GT-II turned 35 last year and was one of the brand’s earliest models to feature their famous GEL technology. On the colourway front, this pair takes the classic combo of suede and mesh and undergoes the unique hues UT have decorated their designs with; here, it’s grey and sage that is met by crochet mesh. This unusual fabric is emphasised with custom pink heath dye, ensuring each pair is the only of its kind.

Up There will be the first to launch their ASICS GT-II collaboration on May 6, and then a global release will follow.