John Kim South Korean fashion label JUNTAE KIM has announced the ASICS GEL-KINETIC FR, a hybrid concept that fuses the sophistication of classic dress shoes with the comfort and functionality of a modern sneaker.
The designer calls it a “Dressneaker”, place its signature flower motif at the center with detachable metal hardware that transforms the shoe’s appearance. Depending on how it’s styled, the floral accessories allow the GEL-KINETIC FR to shift between a more refined aesthetic and a bolder streetwear expression, giving wearers multiple looks from a single silhouette.
The project reflects the label’s distinctive design philosophy, balancing romantic tailoring with punk-inspired details while encouraging versatility over convention. JUNTAE KIM envisions the collaboration as something that can evolve with its wearer, adapting to different outfits and personal styles through interchangeable components rather than going for a static design.
The collaboration is notable for another reason: ASICS rarely gives its partners the opportunity to create something that is entirely new. While the brand has built an impressive collaborative catalog over the years, most projects reinterpret existing silhouettes through materials and color.
Release information for the JUNTAE KIM x ASICS GEL-KINETIC FL has yet to be announced, but the label confirms a drop in the latter half of the year.
