Foot locker and Portland-based PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy have teamed up once again for a special Asics Gel-Diablo sneaker release, created by three emerging footwear designed during the “Fueling the Future of Footwear” master class.
During the three-week class, 18 student designers from around the world were split into six teams of three and competed to create the most compelling design. The winners not only received a $12,000 award, but also the grand prize of seeing their creation get a retail release.
Designed by Razma Hassani of Herzogenaurauch, Germany, Matt Franklin of Norwich, New York, and Blake Scordino of Birmingham, Alabama, the Asics Gel-Diablo "Once Upon A Time In Kobe" is inspired by Asics' Japanese heritage, featuring unique design elements including colors and materials that take cues from Koi fish and silk kimonos.
The winning sneaker design will release this Saturday, September 1 through select Foot Locker locations, as well as Asics.com and Footlocker.com. The Asics Gel-Diablo "Once Upon A Time In Kobe," priced at $120, will be limited - with some reports suggesting only 1,000 pairs in existence.