Header: Courtesy of Issey Miyake
The world of Japanese design is seeing a significant new partnership this season. Launching for Spring Summer 2026, the Miyake Design Studio (MDS) and ASICS are introducing a joint footwear development project titled “ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT.” While both companies have a long history of product development in Japan, this project marks a specific focus on the human foot to offer new ideas for daily living. The collaboration kicked off with the launch of their first model, “HYPER TAPING™,” earlier this January.
A meeting of minds and technology
This partnership relies on the mutual trust built over many years between the two organizations. ASICS is well known for its Institute of Sport Science, where they research the human body and movement to create intelligent sport technology. Their goal has always been to integrate function with design. On the other hand, MDS has spent decades exploring the relationship between cloth and the human body. By joining forces, the two teams aim to draw out their combined potential. This is not a one-off experiment but the start of a long-term research and development vision to explore what footwear can be.
Deconstructing the stripe
The central design feature of this debut shoe is the concept of “taping.” The design team looked closely at the famous “ASICS Stripes,” the lines that appear on the side of almost every ASICS trainer. Originally, these stripes were not just for decoration but added to improve the fit and strengthen the structure of the shoe.
MDS took this idea of functional lines and reimagined it. They developed the concept of taping, similar to how an athlete tapes a joint to stabilize the body and support movement. In the “HYPER TAPING™” model, this concept dictates the form of the shoe. It elevates a standard structural element into a fresh design expression, using the combined knowledge of both the fashion and athletic teams.
From wrestling mats to city streets
The technical details of the shoe show a clear mix of athletic heritage and modern comfort. The team adopted a wrestling outsole, known for its grip and low profile, giving the shoe a distinct silhouette. However, the internal structure is built for the street rather than the mat. They developed a completely new last (the form that the shoe is moulded around) to ensure it suits daily wear. Inside, the insole has been redesigned to provide comfort for all-day use. The designers also spent considerable time refining the materials and the specific colourways to ensure the shoe feels universal yet new.
“ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT” is a serious study of how we walk and move, backed by the heavy-hitting technical data of ASICS and the aesthetic curiosity of MDS. With the launch of the “HYPER TAPING™”, we can see the first result of this deep dive into footwear: a shoe that turns the functional history of the ASICS logo into a system of support for the modern wearer.
