New shoes from Axel Arigato, Asics offer unique twist on sneakers

Two new sneakers have just debuted with two very different profiles. One comes from Axel Arigato and the other from Asics, but both have unique elements that lift them out of the ordinary.

Axel Arigato has introduced Squish, a unisex silhouette. The company said it’s “breaking from the sharp, architectural lines of past styles” as Squish “flows with soft, rounded curves – a design that embraces playfulness over precision. Its proportions almost recall a caricature: a stylised drawing brought to life, transforming familiar sneaker codes into something exaggerated yet inviting”.

It’s inspired by skate parks and modern sculpture and “takes a playful approach to form”. The sole is “curved in every direction – concave, convex, never straight – with deliberately offset lines that create a sense of movement and irregularity. Proportions are intentionally blown out: the oversized toe rises dramatically up the foot, while an exaggerated woven label replaces the brand’s usual leather tab, reinforcing the silhouette’s relaxed and unserious character”.

The shoes are made in Portugal and combine premium nubuck and suede uppers with split-colour thermoplastic rubber (TPR) outsoles. Each pair is finished with wool laces and the outsole “appears caught mid-pour, forming a shell that encases the upper”. 

Meanwhile it has a “unique toe design – inspired by mould-making and sculpture”.

Creative director Jens Werner said he “wanted Squish to feel like a form in motion – inspired by the playfulness of literally squishing the upper into the sole, almost like a baking mould”.

The first release comes in five colourways for both men and women: light beige, black, lilac, tan, and bright yellow. A men’s-only tonal pack follows, featuring light taupe and black/off-black.

It’s available in stores from 28 November.

Next up is an Asics SportStyle collaboration with designer brand Shushu/Tong for a reimagine of the existing Gel-Kinetic Fluent sneakers.

It’s inspired by Shushu/Tong’s bow and “blends femininity with a girlish flair”. The company said “the design mirrors the Shushu/Tong girl’s style evolution from rebellion to elegance”.

The label’s signature bow has been dramatically enlarged into a “multi-layered, three-dimensional structure, dominating the upper to become a visual focal point while retaining its innate romance”.  The bow is embedded into the lacing system, highlighted by the 3D-embossed Shushu/Tong logo on the tongue. 

In red/black, it features suede, leather, and mesh, “creating rich texture and tension against Asics Stripes on the lateral sides, punctuated by a vibrant red accent on the heel”. And in silver, it features expansive metallic leather.