Both brands' logos are tucked away on the inside of the shoe — a decision that says more about what STUDIO NICHOLSON is after than any colorway could. GEL-KINETIC™ SP is both the name of the shoe and the cushioning technology it houses, marking the second collaboration between British label STUDIO NICHOLSON and asics since their Spring/Summer 2024 debut. The result is a sneaker that doesn't quite want to be recognized as one.
Founded by Nick Wakeman in 2010, STUDIO NICHOLSON draws on her 20-plus years in the design industry, including graduate studies in textile design at Chelsea School of Art in the '90s. The brand's references are written into every season's cut: Japanese architecture, interior design, rock music, '90s culture, and geological landscapes — all distilled into clean lines and relaxed proportions, with a palette that stays anchored in black, white, blue, and gray, often rendered in stiffer cotton fabrics. That design vocabulary shapes why this collaborative sneaker steers clear of the loud, showy tendencies typical of the category.
The upper features a symmetrical zip design that opens on both sides, crafted from premium suede with perforated panels and smooth leather accents — the layering comes from material contrast rather than color. Underfoot sits FF BLAST™ foam paired with Scutoid GEL™ technology for cushioning, while the BIOMORPHIC structure allows the shoe to flex naturally with the foot's movement. The technical specs read straight out of asics' usual playbook, but the aesthetic has been fully absorbed into STUDIO NICHOLSON's restrained sensibility — which is really what this collaboration is betting on: whether a sneaker can slot into tailored dressing without sacrificing function for refinement.
GEL-KINETIC™ SP goes up for pre-order starting August 7 at STUDIO NICHOLSON flagship stores (Aoyama, Shibuya PARCO, Kyoto) and its official online store, ahead of a general release on August 14 at asics flagship stores and its official online store. Pricing has not yet been disclosed.
