VandyThePink loves a food-themed sneaker, having linked up with Salomon and Puma in the name of burgers and Asics for a banana split capsule released last year. The Virginia-born streetwear brand is linking up with Asics again, and more flavors of ice cream are on the menu.
The VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Ice Cream Pack” is dropping in August with two colorways inspired by chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Starting with either off-white or brown mesh bases, both sneakers feature metallic silver overlays for a quintessential dose of 2000s running. Floral hangtags are added at the lateral heel, and graphic insoles carry a personified ice cream cone. In place of the usual Japanese characters on the tongue is VandyThePink’s name in Korean, as the founder is a Korean American.
On the chocolate iteration, yellow serves as the dominant accent color by appearing throughout the overlays and forming the outsole. Pink is used more sparingly for a pair of eyelet tears and the tongue branding. More complex is the vanilla edition, as pops of pink, seafoam green and a faint yellow are scattered throughout.
Both shoes also come in a special box with cone characters and the years in which the Gel-Kayano line started and VandyThePink was founded.
The Gel-Kayano 12.1 itself was introduced in 2015, adding the sole unit of the then-modern Gel Nimbus 17 on the 2006 running shoe. While maintaining the heralded aesthetic of its upper, the shoe offers a more comfortable experience with dual-density FluidRide foam and Gel units at the forefoot and heel.
The VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate” and “Vanilla” will release Aug. 8, with the former exclusive to VandyThePink’s website. Pricing is still to be announced.
VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Vanilla” (pair)
VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Vanilla” (above and outsole)
VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Vanilla” (packaging)
VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate” (pair)
VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate” (insole and outsole)
VandyThePink x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate” (packaging)