Jared Ebanks Since 2012 COSTS has served as a mainstay location for Shenzhen-based fashion enthusiasts. After their most recent installment with ASICS via the Gel-Trabuco, the two entities have come together to imbue the Asics Tiger Gel-bnd White Birch Blue Men Chunky Lifestyle with retro aesthetics infused with Cantonese design heritage.
An ode to the vibrancy of life, the Japan-based manufacturer embarks upon a number of design distinctions that siphon the OG silhouette into a new chapter. Adopting a hybrid of fabrics, cotton hemp side panels formulate a Zen-like atmosphere as premium suede treats the entirety of the upper panels. The ASICS stripes have been reconfigured in the formation of lychee vines in tandem with the split tongue, laces and sock liner, each appearance amplifying the entanglement of the native plant and its symbolization of growth.
The outdoors-inspired ensemble enacts an equally explorative color blocking. Light “Olive Green” hues pulled directly from the lychee vines consume the quarter overlay and embossed heel counter depicting the Chinese character for “extend”. The two entities’ first-ever collaboration is harkened to via the dominant earth brown treatment, curing the forefoot, rope laces and cream-stitched tongue construction.
The Cost x Asics Tiger Gel-bnd White Birch Blue Men Chunky Lifestyle “Cane Vine” is scheduled to initially release on August 29th at the COSTS Store while a wider release will take place overseas in Mainland China on August 25th. While we await news regarding a stateside drop, the collaboration can be seen in official images below.
