Junya Watanabe introduces its newest range made for the Fall/Winter 2024 season and amongst it was a special collaboration alongside ASICS where the designer created his variation of the Ora Prima silhouette. The mules walked down the runway, detailed with chain accents over the upper.
It rests on an all-black colorway palette, which is true to the brand's design language. The most notable part of the silhouette is the lack of the shoe's regular thick elasticated laces. In its place are the chain links, which strikingly elevate the silhouette. It retains the padded upper with insulated details. It also rests on top of a chunky midsole unit made with an eco-friendly design and finished with zig-zag tabs on the heel and toe.
Image Credit: @trobrilliants
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Chain-adorned Footwear
- Exploring new ways to incorporate chain accents into footwear designs for a luxurious and edgy aesthetic.
- Eco-friendly Midsole Units
- Developing sustainable midsole materials for footwear to align with environmental initiatives and consumer preferences.
- Lace Replacement Innovations
- Experimenting with non-traditional lace alternatives in shoe designs to enhance visual appeal and uniqueness.
Where This Applies
- Fashion Design
- Opportunities for designers to collaborate and create innovative footwear pieces that showcase unique materials and embellishments.
- Footwear Manufacturing
- Potential for footwear manufacturers to introduce eco-friendly materials and production processes for sustainable and marketable products.
- Accessories Industry
- Space for accessory makers to explore unconventional materials like chains in their designs to offer customers distinct and stylish options.
