Cecilie Bahnsen Reimagines the Classic ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20
Taking inspiration from a 2005 marathon tabi shoe found in the ASICS archive.
Cecilie Bahnsen is back with another round of her ongoing ASICS Sportstyle collaboration, revisiting the classic GEL-KAYANO 20 silhouette. First debuted on the Fall/Winter 2025 runway, the new collaboration continues to blend Bahnsen’s functional yet femme aesthetic with the sporting heritage of ASICS.
Reimagined with sculptural and floral detailing, the new shoes boast a half-tongue construction and take inspiration from a 2005 marathon tabi shoe, discovered by Bahnsen during a trip to the ASICS archive. Incorporating the archival silhouette’s asymmetrical laacing system and D-ring hardware, the new shoe merges technicality with couture.
“This is a new take on the original ASICS Mary Jane we designed, but something more sculptural, with even more contrast,” explains Bahnsen in the press release. “I loved the asymmetrical lacing from the marathon tabi, and could immediately imagine it with our signature flower detailing used as lace locks,” she adds.
Evolving the designer’s floral “cage,” design, a detail which has since become synonymous with Bahnsen’s footwear, the shoes come complete with contrasting overlays, reflective threads and sheer mesh. Available in two colorways of “Olive” and “Vanilla/Pure Silver,” the new silhouette blends natural bases with glossy overlays and metallic accents.
Take a look at the new silhouettes above before they pre-launch on Cecilie Bahnsen’s website on May 2. The collaboration will then see a global release via ASICS on May 16.
In other footwear news, Crocs just got the Swarovski treatment.
