Spring, dare we say summer, is here. Slowly but surely, we’re shedding layers, swapping knits for tanks, and officially retiring the boots that carried us through the long, hard winter. As we emerge from our seasonal slumber and step back into the world of shorts, dresses, and transitional chaos, we find ourselves in a familiar in-between. Yes, the loafer is reliable. Yes, the ballet flat is cute. But do they spark joy? Do they make us feel like the main character?
We’ve been wondering what a big city princess in 2025 would wear. Someone soft yet unbothered. Functional but a little ethereal. Enter Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS, Chapter Six. A love letter to contrast, crafted in the form of the new GEL-KAYANO™ 20.First spotted on the AW25 runway in Paris, the latest Bahnsen-ASICS crossover reimagines the cult Mary Jane with sculptural overlays, asymmetric lacing, and floral cage detailing that feels somewhere between technical and tender. The silhouette was inspired by a trip to the ASICS archive in Kobe, where Bahnsen came across a 2005 marathon tabi shoe and decided, yes, this will work for the romantics.
The result? A hybrid of past and future. Couture softness meets marathon-grade construction. There are two colorways: a sheer olive mesh layered with metallic florals, and a vanilla and pure silver pair grounded in a linen-like base with glossy black overlays. Both come fitted with custom lace locks and ASICS’ signature GEL™ tech for all-day wear, or, more importantly, all-day wandering.
Shot on the streets of Paris, the campaign features Heejin Diamond folding, stretching, and flowing through Bahnsen’s sculptural dresses in poses that feel more ballet studio than billboard. Each frame captures the tension between movement and stillness, fragility and strength. It’s very ‘I’m not running late, I’m floating through time.’
The Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 20 dropped on May 2 on ceciliebahnsen.com, with a wider release on May 16 via asics.com and select global retailers. Price: €220.
So instead of chasing Prince Charming (or anyone, really), maybe just chase your dreams. Run to your next function. Head outside. Or stay still. But at least do it in shoes that were made for moving, not performing.
