Japanese footwear label Mizuno is known for its high-performance shoes that can withstand any terrain—from urban sidewalks to running trails. Founded in 1906, the brand has always placed efficiency, durability and comfort first, while fashion and design were neglected. However, for 2018, Mizuno is collaborating with 'mita sneakers' for an exclusive, stylish redesign of its original Wave Rider 1—an iconic sneaker that "embodies the whole Mizuno spirit."
The retro performance shoes were released first in 1998 and since then have occupied a central position as a product in the brand's archive. The blue-toned upper and the concrete gray midsole in the updated silhouette are inspired by the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The footwear is a marriage between the Japanese brand's innovative drive and style-focused design.
Photo Credits: Dominik Schulte & Ahmed Chrediy
What's Driving This Trend
- Fashion-performance Hybrid Shoes
- Opportunity to create shoes that balance fashion and performance, offering both style and function.
- Collaborative Footwear Collections
- Opportunity for brands to team up and create exclusive footwear lines that merge design and performance.
- Retro Modern Sneaker Design
- Opportunity to update classic sneaker styles with modern design elements and materials.
Who This Affects Most
- Athletic Footwear
- Brands in the athletic footwear industry can focus on integrating fashion and performance elements into their products.
- Fashion
- Fashion designers can explore collaborations with athletic footwear brands and create collections that merge style and function.
- Retail
- Retailers can cater to the growing demand for fashionable performance shoes by creating exclusive collections and collaborations with brands.
