A Great Collaboration: ASICS and Chemist Creations

Chemist Creations is a leading lifestyle store that features men’s contemporary fashion. They’re known for their simple, classic designs that focus on excellent tailoring and quality fabrics and materials. They like to strip their products back to basics and choose to focus on texture, color, and materials. Based in Los Angeles, it is a trailblazing fashion brand established by a designer with a distinct aesthetic, Yixi Chen. 

ASICS, the renowned Japanese shoe brand, has reached out to Chemist Creations to put their unique spin on the GEL Kayano 5. In addition, the team has also reworked the GEL-Fuji Trabuco 7.

ASICS GEL-Kayano 5

ASICS GEL-Kayano 5 is a classic retro design. It is known as ASIC’s flagship running shoe. Marketed as an everyday running shoe, it is known for its stability and durability. Last year, several labels have expressed interest in collaboration, wanting to take a crack at designing their own version.

images by @dlleixap

ASICS x Chemist Creations GEL Kayano

This sneaker takes inspiration from the minimalist and industrial look of GEL Kayano 5. Chemist Creations GEL Kayano comes in two colorways. The first color is Marshmallow and released in October. The Marshmallow colorway is a combination of off-whites and grays. This is a clean-cut version made with feather gray leather and nubuck, both known to be premium upper material. The other colorway is a mix of gray and blue. The second colorway hasn’t been released as of now.

The Marshmallow variation shows a lot of co-branded details. The uppers are clean with mostly cream hues. The sidewalls are decorated with text that looks ripped out from a novel or a chemistry book. The design also features the Quadra Lacing System. This means that there is a second set of laces that can be placed on the second set of lace loops. Allowing the user to customize the shoe and lace it however they like. Marshmallow features the words CHEMIST” and “化學製品” (Japanese for chemicals) placed on the rear-quarter and the heel tabs.

image by @binkbow

ASICS x Chemist Creations GEL Kayano also features DUOMAX arch cushioning. DUOMX is a high-density, trademarked material placed on the midsole. The purpose of putting it there is to prevent it from collapsing and offers maximum ground contact.

ASICS x Chemist Creations GEL Kayano available for purchase on Ebay now.