# Japanese Art-Inspired Runners The Asics 'Ikebana' Pack Boasts a Functional Shoe with Great Design By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-03-07 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-artinspired References: [eleven-store.pl](http://eleven-store.pl/sklep/en/asics/1885-gel-lyte-v.html) & [eleven-store.pl](http://eleven-store.pl/sklep/en/asics/1884-gel-lyte-iii.html) Recently, it has become evident that sports footwear companies have been striving to combine exceptional performance with a fashion-forward aesthetic and this is exhibited with the [Asics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelkayano-14-organic-beauty) 'Ikebana' pack—a dual shoe release that boasts comfort within a Japanese art-inspired silhouette. The footwear bundle consists of the Asics Gel-Lyte V and the [Gel-Lyte III](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gel-lyte-iii-og-1). Both sneakers showcase a high-quality leather upper with hits of mesh for breathability. The color palette is predominantly pastel, however, the point of design interest is with the Japanese art-inspired [flower patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cecilie-bahnsen-x-asics-gelterrain-mt) that are featured on the toe box and the back side panel of the silhouette. While the Gel-Lyte III is a busier design due to its bolder composition, the Gel-Lyte V is a more minimalist and easy-going silhouette. Nonetheless, both of these Japanese art-inspired runners will bring comfort and stability to the user with a fashion-forward statement. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Fashion-forward Performance:** The combination of exceptional performance with a fashion-forward aesthetic in sports footwear. - **Art-inspired Design:** Using art as inspiration for sneaker design. - **Minimalist Silhouettes:** Designing minimalist and easy-going sneaker silhouettes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Athletic Footwear:** Creating functional and fashionable athletic footwear. - **Fashion Retail:** Providing customers with unique and art-inspired footwear options. - **Art and Design:** Merging the worlds of art and footwear design for disruptive innovation opportunities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Natural Tone Runners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelkayano-14-organic-beauty.md) - [Nature-Inspired Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ub10s-gelkayano-20.md) - [Balletcore Collaborative Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelkinetic-fluent-1.md) - [Performance-Driven Footwear Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bandit-x-asics-capsule.md) - [Stylish Technical Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/small-wins-add-up.md) - [Japanese Workwear-Honoring Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelkiril-3.md) - [Dynamic Aqua-Tonal Joint Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelkayano-20.md) - [Artisanal Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelcumulus.md) - [Earthy Tonal Sneaker Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earthenware.md)