In June 2024, Story mfg. announced three major footwear partnerships as part of its SS25 showing at Paris Fashion Week, where iconic silhouettes from ROA, Suicoke, and ASICS were reconfigured to align with Story mfg.’s eco-friendly, pattern-heavy design ethos.
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Ten months and two sell-out releases with ROA and Suicoke later, Story mfg.’s latest SS25 footwear collaboration is finally upon us.
Story mfg.’s debut ASICS collab celebrates the “joy of doing things slowly”, as co-founder Saeed Al-Rubeyi infuses the GEL-VENTURE 6 with ethically-sourced uppers and lacing inspiration tied to his formative years growing up in Baghdad.
In stark contrast to the ultra-sporty colourways typically associated with the Japanese running brand, Story mfg. forgoes loud mesh and fluorescent synthetic panels in place of earthy brown and lilac gingham check uppers, chosen as sustainable textile options that also reflect the brand’s passion for hiking, picnics and general hobby crafting.
Each pair comes with two sets of laces, included as a deliberate nod to Saeed Al-Rubeyi’s time as a skater in Baghdad, where the coolest kids at the skatepark would express their individuality through creative lacing techniques.
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According to Story mfg. - these design choices embody a shoe intended for “long walks, slow afternoons and the meandering paths we take when we’re not in a rush”.
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Priced at £135 GBP (approx. $180 USD), the Story mfg x ASICS GEL-VENTURE 6 drops globally via ASICS’ webstore and select retailers on Friday, April 18.
