Exclusive Interview: Designer Helen Kirkum Crafts 30 Bespoke ASICS GEL-1090s for Charity
British designer Helen Kirkum is known for her bespoke creations, deconstructions of familiar sneaker silhouettes that are then rebuilt with a wabi-sabi touch, and, often, sustainable materials. For her latest project, Kirkum has brought her technical know-how and eye for the abstract to an runner, namely the – of which she's reworked 30 pairs in support of Right to Play, a charitable organisation that empowers children to rise above adversity through the power of play and was chosen to receive support through ASICS' 'Crafts for Mind' programme.
Kirkum's 30-pack of ASICS have been transformed with the use of post-consumer waste, which is used to create a partial shroud around the lateral side of the upper while the medial side is left exposed. She's also hand-embroidered famous UK running routes onto the toe, a unique lacing system that soars and swoops around the upper and a little extra reinforcement around the tongue! No two pairs are the exact same – each in the set of 30 is entirely unique.
Ahead of the release, we spoke to Kirkum about the project, her process, and upcoming news.
If you're looking to score a pair of Kirkum's ASICS, they'll be available exclusively through on February 25. From February 18, each pair was loaded onto the NAKED site so you can have a gander at them – you'll want to make your mind up quickly come drop day, as there's only a single pair of each available!