ASICS and Sivasdescalzo (aka SVD) have come together for the Spain-based retailer’s first collaboration with the sportswear brand. The result is an eco-conscious reinterpretation of the classic ASICS GEL-LYTE III OG. A close attention to detail was applied to the collaboration as SVD focused on mixing different textures with recycled materials to, as the retailer says, “keep in line with [ASICS’] traditional Japanese craftmanship.” 

The original ASICS GEL-LYTE III was designed in 1990 by Shigeyuki Mitsui. SVD procurement director Rubén García explained to Highsnobiety that when they met Mitsui at Paris Fashion Week in 2019, they were inspired by his innovative approach to sneaker design in the ‘90s – one that certainly challenged traditional thinking. 

“He broke with the traditional color schemes and ordinary design methods to create a truly unique model that’s stood the test of time,” García said. “The silhouette provided the perfect canvas to recreate the eco-friendly design aspects we were aiming for on the entire model itself. Each material is able to stand out, but at the same time coexist in an organic way that highlights the silhouette’s iconic design.”

The SVD x ASICS GEL-LYTE III OG uses a plant-based, stonewashed textile made of a cotton and linen blend for its upper with overlays of recycled suede and recycled, naturally dyed leather sourced from leftover sneaker waste. 

The model’s laces utilize a textured fabric made of 100% jute and durable stitching throughout using recycled TPU fibers. The tongue and inner heel padding uses 100% recycled PET fabric and recycled foam from unused materials found in ASICS factories for extra comfort, while the insoles are made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. The sneaker’s gum sole was produced from natural latex with ASICS signature GEL technology. 

Although this isn’t the first sneaker collaboration we’ve seen from SVD, this is the first we’ve seen from the retailer where it’s putting sustainability front and center. SVD hopes this eco-conscious approach inspires its fellow industry cohorts to rethink their collaborative products. “While the inspiration of the project is definitely eco-based, there was one thing that we always kept going back to: the yin and yang symbol. How two seemingly contradictory things can actually come together in harmony and perfectly complement each other,” García said. 

The Sivasdescalzo x ASICS GEL-LYTE III OG is currently available through a raffle system at SVD.

In other footwear news, Gucci just introduced its new animal-free, bio-based Demetra material on a range of retro-inspired sneakers.