Update: Drew Curry's AIREI brought fire to the sneaker world -- both figuratively and literally -- with its conceptual take on the ASICS GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC, which we covered previously below. To recap, beginning in February, AIREI took a black colorway of the GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC, wrapped it in black khadi gauze and lit it on fire, resulting in 30 signed and numbered pairs that launched at Dover Street Market Los Angeles for Felix Art Fair. Following this, the duo employed the same methodology to 50 pairs of the "Birch" colorway of the silhouette, burning away a beige version of the gauze for Frieze New York.
Now, a third and final edition has been crafted for Dover Street Market Ginza. Starting with 50 pairs of the "Dark Indigo" GR colorway that we highlighted earlier this year, a hand-dyed indigo gauze was applied around each shoe as a nod to indigo's prominence in Japan. From there, the shoes were set aflame one by one, representing "immersion in a noble cause," with the resulting uppers carrying their own "scars." Once again, each shoe box has been covered in the gauze to invite the owner to participate in the transformation.
Release for the final ASICS, a Concept by AIREI GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC will be taking place on August 2 via Dover Street Market Ginza, where a mere 50 signed and numbered pairs will be made available in-person only at a price of ¥40,000 JPY (approx. $267 USD).
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Update: Earlier this year, AIREI took to Felix Art Fair to share its latest conceptual project. Teaming up with ASICS on the GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC, the Los Angeles-based brand applied a khadi gauze wrap to the shoe's upper and set it aflame to create a unique finish for each of its 30 pairs. Now, the duo has revisited the methodology for a second colorway of the shoe limited to 50 numbered units for Frieze New York. Again, khadi gauze covers both the shoe's upper and its accompanying shoe box, with the shoe being set aflame to reveal a portion of the sneaker's upper. Release is set to take place on May 3 via Dover Street Market New York (in-person only) at a price of $265 USD.
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Original Story: Los Angeles-based label AIREI made its debut at Paris Fashion Week last year and has kept its momentum flowing ever since. Teaming up with ASICS, various experimental concepts have been brought to life, with the duo's latest work involving the GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC.
In celebration of Felix Art Fair, AIREI and ASICS have assembled a version of the GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC that features a khadi gauze wrap across its upper. The fabric is constructed in East India without electricity and has been set aflame by AIREI to create a unique finish for each pair. "Flames symbolize immersion in a noble cause, fabrics bearing scars, and challenges overcome," shared the brand when noting its inspiration. Constructed with an all-black finish, the emphasis rests solely on the tattered gauze, with silver detailing included underneath at the traditional ASICS branding. The accompanying shoe box features the same gauze as well.
For those eager to get their hand on a pair of AIREI's ASICS GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC collaboration, it is set to release in an extremely limited run of 30 signed and numbered pairs in-person only via Dover Street Market Los Angeles within Felix Art Fair on February 29 at a price of $265 USD.
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