COSTS x ASICS Honour Tradition With GT-2160 'SHAOJI'

Southeastern Chinese fashion label COSTS have teamed up with ASICS to give the GT-2160 a traditional artisan makeover. The 11-year old apparel brand first collaborated with ASICS on a lychee vine inspired GEL-Lyte III earlier this year. They infused the design with Cantonese cultural elements, and the collaborative GT-2160 takes the same approach, imbuing the design with Cantonese heritage to integrate tradition with dynamic athletic attire.

Delivered with the tagline ‘This is Costs Way’, the label have constructed the silhouette with a vision for style and function. Continuing their Chinese inspired aesthetic, the COSTS’ GT-2160 is named and designed after a shaoji, which is a bamboo basket for washing rice. It also has ritualistic and symbolic significance for physical and mental wellbeing.

The shoe is constructed with a breathable mesh upper and soft suede on the overlays, both in creamy shades of beige. The brands both share blue as their signature colours, so it rightfully strikes through the design on the lateral accents, heel tab, and laces. The eyelet stay on the left is embroidered with 'SHAOJI' and the right has it in Chinese characters. The homage to Southern Chinese craftsmanship is finished with shaoji prints covering the sockliners.

The COSTS x ASICS GT-2160 'SHAOJI' is available now from COSTS, but lands at ASICS on November 28 with a $140 price tag.