Japanese design house ISSEY MIYAKE has joined forces with ASICS to launch ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT, a forward-thinking fashion collaboration that places the human foot at the center of design research. The project debuts with its first model, HYPER TAPING, which is set for release on January 5th, 2026 at Issey Miyake and ASICS stores, as well as select global retailers.
Introduced during the IM MEN Spring/Summer 2026 show at Paris Fashion Week, the collaboration blends ASICS’ deep-rooted sports science with Miyake Design Studio’s experimental approach to form, movement, and the body.
Footwear design as research
At the heart of ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT is a shared ambition to rethink footwear design from the ground up. Rather than treating shoes as purely aesthetic objects, the project investigates how the foot moves, stabilizes the body, and interacts with the ground. Years of collaboration and mutual trust between Miyake Design Studio and ASICS have shaped a process that merges technical performance with conceptual clarity.
This research-driven mindset reflects Issey Miyake’s long-standing philosophy of innovation through technology and materials, now applied to footwear with a renewed focus on everyday movement.
HYPER TAPING: performance meets form
The inaugural HYPER TAPING sneaker reimagines an ASICS wrestling shoe through the lens of athletic taping. Thick elastic bands wrap around the upper, mimicking the way tape supports muscles and joints, offering both visual impact and functional stability. These bands trace bold lines across the shoe, turning structural support into a defining design feature.
The model is built on a wrestling-inspired outsole for enhanced grip and control, paired with a newly developed last that improves comfort beyond the traditionally narrow wrestling silhouette. A responsive SPEVA midsole and cushioned insole ensure the shoe is suited for daily wear, balancing performance with lifestyle needs.
A distinctive palette and launch details
HYPER TAPING will be available in three colorways—fluorescent green, all black, and all grey—each emphasizing the sculptural quality of the design. The shoe represents a seamless fusion of ASICS’ sports engineering expertise and Miyake Design Studio’s exploration of the body through clothing and objects.
Launching globally on January 5th, 2026, ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT signals a new direction for fashion collaboration, where innovation, function, and aesthetics move in step toward the future of footwear.
Photography courtesy of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO
