Every season, it seems like there’s a brand new footwear trend that seeps its way into mainstream fashion. Whether it’s chopping off the back of shoes to make them mules or adding bows for a Sandy Liang vibe, there’s something new and quirky for anyone’s preference. Now, with the recent release of Post Archive Faction (PAF) and On’s second collaboration, we have a feeling that this autumn’s new shoe trend could be asymmetrical lacing.
Commonly seen on football and tennis shoes, this lacing system not only transmits tension on the foot more evenly but also creates a larger, smooth surface area to cleanly strike the ball. This functional detail has now made it into athleisure and high fashion with Our Legacy’s understated Gabe trainer, the newly revived Puma Mostros and, now, the On x PAF Cloudventure Peak.
This should come as no surprise, given fashion’s recent obsession with sports references. Although not as prominent as it used to be, ‘blokecore’ and football fashion remain relatively popular as subgenres of dress now, even after the Euro 2024 tournament where it was brought back to the forefront. The same can be said for ‘tenniscore’ which had its moment earlier this year with the blockbuster film ‘Challengers’ featuring Zendaya, Miu Miu’s continued push of its preppy style, and Lacoste’s comeback to the runway during PFW in March.
There’s something to be said for asymmetry in fashion as a whole, becoming highly popular in recent times for adding a nonchalant flair and an unorthodox balance to ensembles and individual pieces. Rei Kawakubo is one of the early pioneers, creating exaggerated shapes and asymmetrical garments during the ‘80s to not only promote movement but to also put more emphasis on the garments themselves rather than the wearer’s body - challenging female gender norms. By adding irregular details such as the infamous lumps in Comme des Garçons’ SS97 “Dress Meets Body, Body Meets Dress” collection, it blatantly disfigures the female body to create a heavy imbalance. In turn, this imbalance challenges geometrical conventions to create a dynamic shape that draws and captivates the viewer.
This seems to be a response to fashion’s fixation with individuality and the search for ‘personal style.’ With all fashion recommendations on social media platforms being centred around the ‘best basics’ or ‘essential pieces,’ having irregularities such as asymmetry adds an element of unorthodox interest, pulling the focal point of the ensemble onto the item. By putting a twist on traditional silhouettes, there’s a sense of lowkey exclusivity - a subtle nod to those who know or pay close enough attention without being overly blatant.
With people in fashion longing for imperfections and off-kilter designs more than ever, it feels like there’s no better way to align (or misalign..?) yourself with these design cues than with new releases like On x PAF’s Cloudventure Peak trainers. However, unconventional forms of design have been popular for a while in other aspects of art and fashion. From the Wabi-Sabi ideology (where perfection is found in its imperfection) to the disruptive designs of Martine Rose or Demna’s Balenciaga that challenge traditional tailoring through the combination of subcultures and outlandish silhouettes.
Featured image via On©
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